Mermaids, aquatic creatures turn out for Coney Island parade

 Tens of thousands of revelers turned out Saturday for Coney Island's 33rd annual Mermaid Parade despite gray skies and steady drizzle.


"If it starts raining, we're all fish people," said Joe Coddington of Queens, who was wearing a crab hat and a shirt that said "butter me up." He added: "We come from the sea. It's even more fun."

Lia Perotta of Brooklyn said she has dressed as a mermaid every year for 10 years.

"It's all about the glitter today," she said.

The parade, which began in 1983 and takes place on the Saturday closest to the first day of summer, is a mix of seaside honky-tonk and family fun.


Burlesque dancer Julie Atlas Muz was this year's Queen Mermaid. Actor Mat Fraser was King Neptune.



Mayor Bill de Blasio caused a stir in 2014 when he showed up in a puffy-shirted pirate costume. He did not attend this year.