Unleash your inner sea creature at the 34th annual Mermaid Parade. The largest art parade in the nation, the spectacle finds over 3,000 inventive individuals from near and far heading surfside to strut their stuff (and usually show off a lot of cleavage) in celebration of Coney’s oceanic mythology. Each year a Queen Mermaid and King Neptune reside over the proceedings. Past years’ royalty have included Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, Harvey Keitel and Daphne Keitel, and David Byrne and World Famous Bob. For 2016, the honors have been bestowed to Hailey Clauson and Carlo A. Scissura.

Those interested in participating in the festivities can register here. If spectating is more your gig (costumes still encouraged), things get underway at 1pm at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue and go until the last marchers and floats have reached Steeplechase Plaza.

Photo by Kenny Lombardi