Coney Island USA warned in April that the Mermaid Parade faced cancellation due to an urgent financial crisis. Public support surged locally and internationally, and a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $42,000. On May 20, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso allocated $20,000 from his discretionary fund to Coney Island USA. He also announced that his office would fund the parade with $20,000 every year while he remains borough president. Reynoso emphasized preserving arts institutions and cultural landmarks. Adam Rinn, artistic director of Coney Island USA, credited public support for helping through recent financial difficulties. New York Comic Con also joined the effort as a parade presenter.
"“We want everyone to know that this is not the end. The funding is helping us save the Mermaid Parade, but we want it to be the grandest and biggest parade it could possibly be. So, we want to keep it coming,” Reynoso said. “I couldn't be prouder, I couldn't be happier to be the borough president that helped save this year's Mermaid Parade, and I just want to say that the funding we're doing today, so long as I'm the Borough President, I will continue to give this funding to Coney Island USA for future Mermaid Parade, so long as I'm in office.”"
"At a press conference outside Coney Island USA headquarters on May 20 - a month to the day before the Mermaid Parade - the Brooklyn Beep made good on his the promise he made in his 2026 State of the Borough Address in April, and allocated $20,000 from his discretionary fund to Coney Island USA. Reynoso, who is also running for Congress in NY-7, said arts institutions and cultural landmarks, have to be preserved."
"After a GoFundMe initiative raised over $42,000, the organization received another financial boost from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso on Wednesday. Coney Island USA, the organizer of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, sounded the alarm in April that one of New York's most iconic and beloved summer traditions was on the brink of cancellation due to an “urgent financial crisis,” and the community responded with support pouring in from Brooklyn, New York City, and even internationally."
"Adam Rinn, artistic director of Coney Island USA, said the nonprofit had gone through some rough financial “patches” in the past few years and expressed his gratitude for the public support. The campaign to save the parade also garnered the attention of New York Comic Con, which signed up as the parade's presenti"
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