"The outpouring of support has been incredible, said Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA's artistic director, veteran sword swallower and self-described yacht rock captain of the Mermaid Parade."
"Coney Island USA spent heavily over the past year to oppose the proposed Coney Island casino project, putting out highly produced videos and staging a fake funeral mourning the potential loss of the Mermaid Parade."
"Rinn also said revenues from the nonprofit's other ventures never fully recovered after COVID, as Coney Island USA runs a museum, gift shop, circus sideshow and Freak Bar."
The 44th annual Mermaid Parade is set to return to Coney Island after initial concerns of cancellation due to financial issues faced by Coney Island USA. The nonprofit launched a GoFundMe campaign that exceeded its fundraising goals, raising over $35,000 towards a $40,000 target. The parade, scheduled for June 20, features participants in homemade costumes and elaborate floats. Financial difficulties stem from opposition to a proposed casino and slow recovery of revenues post-COVID from other nonprofit ventures.
Read at Gothamist
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