Mermaid Parade 2008! - Photo Collection

Lock up your kiddies and read on because Saturday was the annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island.  This home-grown, wild and decadent event occurs every year at this time (although there is some worry about what will happen to the parade when the new upscale development of Coney Island begins this year.) 

The parade kicked off at two o'clock, but by then most of the crowd had eaten several Nathan's hotdogs and were also on their second or third 42oz tub of beer from Nathan's.  Drinking on the streets is the rule of the day!

Almost anything goes, as long as some attempt to follow the theme happens.  The parade is full of scantily clad mermaids, mermen, and lots and lots of other sea creatures. And while this guy seems to have forgotten his bottom...

... we all know that no self respecting mer-person would be caught wearing a top! 

Who knows what this couple was thinking, but a good public spanking seemed to fit right in anyway! 

The scent of sex in the air got to be to much and even the dogs got into the act.  Of course the crowd just cheered them on and drank more beer. 

While most people put some effort into their costumes... 

...this "gentleman" just threw on a diaper and walked the parade.  No surprisingly, no one else in the parade walked too close to him. 

We all had heard of fish heads, but this float took things to a whole new level.

And this guy appears in almost every NYC parade in the same outfit, with the same dog and parrot, and with his beard died some crazy color.  Whatever floats your boat.  It's all good.

I guess the question here is "Why bother?" 

Who knew there was an S&M community amongst the mer-people! 

In the sun, a squirt from a seahorse was a much welcome treat! 

The Grand Marshall of the parade was Reverend Billy from the Church of Stop Shopping.  He was in the parade with his followers to protest the coming development of Coney Island into expensive condos and shops.

The developer following Rev. Billy was booed by the crowd. 

I don't know if size matters with a banana, but this guy sure thought it did. 

Jellyfish and even a a sea turtle hit the streets to celebrate the day! 

Even a sea urchin or two joined in on the fun. 

The Marine Antoinettes all showed up in full costume and put on quite a show as they marched. 

When the parade ended, everyone hit the beach.  It was wall to wall people in every direction as far as the eye could see.  Just like one of those old photos you see of a beach covered in people. 

tags: mermaid  parade  mermaid parade  sex  photo  photos  image  images  nudity  boobs  boobies  tits  shirtless  men  women  party  coney island  new york  dog  reverend billy  church of stop shopping  

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