Workin' the Hula Hoop

The tradition of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade began in 1983, when the first event of this kind was conceptualized and organized by Dick Zigun, who is sometimes dubbed the "Mayor of Coney Island", and who was the founder of the non-profit arts group Coney Island USA.

The Mermaid Parade is held in celebration of the beginning of the summer season, and so it traditionally takes place on the Saturday closest to the calendar start of summer, regardless of the weather.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

For more info ...
Coney Island Mermaid Parade Official SiteFlickr Photos tagged with "mermaidparade"