The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is Officially Returning This Summer

Earlier this month, the organization behind the annual event was scrambling to raise funds for its return

The waters around the Coney Island Mermaid Parade’s immediate future appear to have stabilized in a hurry. Just a few weeks ago, Coney Island USA, the non-profit behind the annual neighborhood-wide event, launched a crowdfunding campaign to ensure it could return for its 44th installment this summer. And now, it seems to have not only hit its initial $18,000 goal, but is closing in on its expanded $40,000 target at the time of this writing, with more than $36,000 raised so far.

“Your generosity has allowed us to take the first steps to bringing this iconic celebration to life—but we’re not out of the woods yet! Our GoFundMe fundraising goal will continue to rise as we work to ensure the Mermaid Parade goes on as planned this year, and we’re committed to keeping you updated along the way so you can follow our progress,” wrote Buddy Engelhart, a local organizer who sits on the board of Coney Island USA, on the campaign page. The increase of its fundraising goals is to cover additional costs associated with running the event, including “permits, staging, sound, safety, and all the behind-the-scenes work that transforms Surf Avenue into a spectacle of creativity and joy,” according to Englehart.

The parade, which was founded in 1983 and draws hundreds of thousands of people to Coney Island every year, will hold its 44th iteration on June 20, starting the procession at West 23rd and Surf. If you need a warm-up ahead of its return, jump back for some scenes from previous years at the iconic summer-starter in the People’s Playground.