Jun 23 2008
2008 Mermaid Parade. Coney Island, NY
On the Brooklyn Riviera.
Skyrocketing gas prices, soaring air fare’s and food prices that are sliding off the table will make this a summer to remember or forget. That’s why the phrase “think global,buy local” is more important than ever. Simply put, why go to some off shore foreign beach when everything you need is just a subway ride away. I’m referring ,of coarse, to the beach-amusement park-food festival-freak show that is Brooklyn’s Coney Island.
Although one does not need an excuse to visit this urban theme park* the fact that this Saturday was the first day of summer and also the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade made for a good reason to get my butt on the subway and endure the ninety minute ride to the end of the “F” line.
The day started out as partly cloudy, a good thing if you are going to be outside in the sun. By mid-morning, however, the clouds parted and the sun began to peek out to the delight. I’m sure, of the people who came to lay on the beach and for the boardwalk vendors who rely on days like this to make up for the cold winter days when they are closed. The vendors along Coney’s main drag, Surf Avenue, were also anticipating a good day too The first Saturday of summer is also the day when the people of Coney and surrounding areas come to parade around in their mostly home made costumes and show off their partially clad bodies.
Sometime late in the afternoon there is an actual parade down Surf Ave, but most of the good photo op’s take place in the staging area on the street next to the Cyclone roller coaster. This is where all the photog’s go to get close up and personal with the parade’s main attraction, the freaky folks who make up the show.
I took a lot of photos, close to 100, but I can only show a small portion of them because some of them are not suitable for family viewing and I didn’t want to “R” rate this blog with an 18+ restriction. I used a little camouflage in the appropriate places but I’m sure you’ll get the idea.
It all starts with a train ride, a long train ride. Ninety minutes
later you arrive at the Stillwell Avenue train station.
A heavy cloud cover kept the early morning beach goers to
a minimum. Things picked up as the day wore on.
The vendors along Coney’s famous boardwalk were just glad it
was warm and not raining. If you’re not on the beach, you’re
eating on the boardwalk.
From Brooklyn, where the girls
are good looklyn, come these two
mermaids to startm the show.
I guess it’s only fair. If I take her picture she could take mine.
I, however, kept my top on. Sorry about the bubbles but you
can use your imagination.
More bubbles to cover up those nasty bits. By this time you
have probably guessed that there are no dressing rooms.
A boy and his dog. Not exactly Norman
Rockwell.
Too hot for hair. This “alien” was
either from outer space or Brightton
Beach.
Bring your bird, bring your fish, bring your
scallop shells. The blue pearls really make
the outfit.
Something purple comes. It might
be an octopus but I’m not sure.
My favorite pic. He sort of looks like
a hood ornament or the front end of a
1953 Buick.
Cheap costume. A pair of Jockey’s and some
body paint. The gal with the video camera was
trying to get the guy to move.
Despite the adult theme of the parade it’s really about
family participation…
… Mom, however, looks like she would have liked to
worn a different outfit.
Can’t leave Coney without a dog. Hot dog that is. There is
lots of controversy as to where the Frankfurter was born but
this is definitely where it grew up. The original Nathan’s on
Surf Avenue.
As I said I took a load of photos. Coney Island ranks as one of my top New York picture points any time of the year. I’ll publish some more here on Tuesday. I’m going to stay in today and maybe Tomorrow due to lack of funds and a poor weather forecast.
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