Coney Island is relevant again, well it has been for a while now. This weekend, the theme park will feature its annual Mermaid Parade and thousands of people dressed up as sea creatures and in sea-related costumes. People will turn out in droves to the parade which some people say reminds them of Mardi Gras.

Each year, a King Neptune and a Queen Mermaid are crowned and rule over the festivities. The parade and festival mark the opening of the ocean for the Summer season. The parade route winds down the Boardwalk and ends up at the beach.

Expect to see the unexpected in the parade. Kids and adults dressed as mermaids, sea animals, lighthouses, and the random Coney Island postcard. Many ofthe costumes are made by hand and you can see the hours and hours of work that went into perfecting them.

The parade will beging Saturday, June 19 at 2 in the afternnon. If you want to hang around after the parade there is a parade ball which will last late into the evening. The afterparty is for those over 21 only, and it will feature live music, burlesque and sideshow acts, and just an all around wacky atmosphere.

For more information, go online at www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml.