Coney Island Mermaid Parade lands $20K boost from Brooklyn borough president

The 44th annual Mermaid Parade on Coney Island is expected to proceed this summer after receiving an additional $20,000 allocation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The nonprofit Coney Island USA warned earlier that rising costs could force the event to shut down. The funding follows a public fundraising campaign launched in March after an urgent financial crisis warning, with organizers citing lingering pandemic fallout and expenses related to opposing a proposed Coney Island casino project. The GoFundMe campaign raised more than $40,000. With the new allocation, sponsorships, and vendor revenue, organizers said they are close to meeting their fundraising goal. The funds will support preparations such as licenses, bleachers, and screen printing, with total costs reported as over $120,000.

"Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso announced Wednesday that he's allocating $20,000 from his discretionary fund to Coney Island USA, the nonprofit that organizes the parade, after the group warned earlier this year that mounting costs could force the event to shut down."

"Organizers blamed lingering financial fallout from the pandemic, along with costs tied to opposing the proposed Coney Island casino project. The nonprofit has since raised more than $40,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, according to its fundraising page."

"Combined with the latest $20,000 allocation, along with sponsorships and vendor revenue, organizers said they're now close to meeting their fundraising goal. The extra funds mean the parade's organizers can move ahead by covering some of the necessary preparations, like obtaining the proper licenses, bleachers and even screen printing costs."

"Altogether, it takes upwards of $120,000 to run the Mermaid Parade, organizers said. The spectacle on Surf Avenue, which organizers have long billed as the nation's largest parade, takes inspiration from traditional Mardi Gras celebrations and sees swaths of attendees transform themselves into merfolk."

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