h. nazan ışık—
20 June 2015—
It was so entertaining to see how creative ideas people can have to dress like a ‘sea creature’. The 33rd annual Mermaid Parade, one of the most festive parades of New York, took place today, 20 June, in Coney Island.
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An octopus outfit was one of the many ‘sea creature’ dresses.
The parade route is always a very interesting place to be to see all the revelers and feel the festive mood. But I like the preparation, back stage more, and the beach after the parade.
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Attendees were getting ready for the parade.
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A family, in their matching costume.
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It was a rainy day, even a mermaid needed an umbrella, and in case her cell phone.
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This year’s King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, actor Mat Fraser and his wife Julie Atlas Muz, were ready for the parade.
The parade made it’s way down on Surf Avenue, and continued on the boardwalk.
On a warm, sunny day after the parade, people usually come to the beach. But that day the beach was rather empty.
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And lifeguards were in their warm clothes.
I asked: “How is the water temperature?”
“It is cold!” they answered.
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People were still having fun, but not in the water.
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I saw a mermaid, resting. Then she went into the water. She wasn’t swimming, just moving strangely. She had two other friends, waiting for her on the shore.
They saw me looking at her, and one said: “Oh, she is taking it off. It is easier in the water.”
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She came out, carrying her mermaid costume in hand. I wanted to feel how heavy it was. She let me lift it. Oh! It was heavy.
“20 pounds!” she said. And they left.
On the boardwalk people were drinking, dancing, partying.
It was a fun day as always.
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Photos © h. nazan ışık, All rights reserved