Michael Nagle The joyfully unconventional parade kicked off at 1 p.m. and the crowd quickly swelled to 30,000, which included marchers, spectators and those on the boardwalk, according to police.

The summer solstice was on Friday evening, but the unofficial start of summer in NYC happened on Saturday (6/21), when the Coney Island Mermaid Parade took over Surf Ave and the boardwalk for its ...

Now in its 43rd year, the celebration brings more than 5,000 participants to Surf Avenue, strutting in glittery mermaid costumes and bringing color and creativity to the boardwalk.

Event organizers tell News 12 the event is meant to celebrate community while allowing people to embrace creativity with a mermaid theme to kick off the start of summer.

The summer solstice was on Friday evening, but the unofficial start of summer in NYC happened on Saturday (6/21), when the Coney Island Mermaid Parade took over Surf Ave and the boardwalk for its ...

"We've been coming for 20 years. There's no hate in the mermaid parade. Everybody just wants to be here and have a good time. This is where the community comes to celebrate, and we wouldn't want ...