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New York Post
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Coney Island Mermaid Parade makes a splash once again
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade made quite a splash once again. The 43rd annual event — the nation's largest art parade — welcomed revelers close from the Big Apple to around the world, many donning over-the-top aquatically-themed costumes for the tropical festivities. 'It's a great expression of people's creativity,' gushed Noella Owen, 53, of Brooklyn, who attended with her two children, aged 11 and 12. Advertisement The trio, who show up annually, hand made their marine-centric ensembles. 'My kids are dressed as krill and they wanted me to be a blue whale because of their fat jokes,' Owen said. 6 Many came to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade donning aquatically-themed costumes. Michael Nagle Advertisement The joyfully unconventional parade kicked off at 1 p.m. and the crowd quickly swelled to 30,000, which included marchers, spectators and those on the boardwalk, according to police. Caroline Northrop, 44, a public school teacher from Atlantic Highlands, N.J., also expressed her love for the unique 'celebration of creativity.' '[It] shows so many people are still creative even with AI everywhere, it's so refreshing,' said Northrop, who donned a 'woodland enchantress' outfit decorated with fake mice. 6 The joyful event dates back to 1983. Michael Nagle Advertisement 6 Victor Gonzales spent a month creating his outfit. Khristina Narizhnaya Victor Gonzales, 39, a civil engineer who lives in Queens, dressed as a lion fish, and said it took him one month to painstakingly create the costume. 'Because I have to sew, I have to do this structure. I have to design the makeup as well. Today, [it took to get dressed] probably about two and a half hours … I have to glue on the paper things,' he explained. Each year, a new King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are crowned — Ukrainian-American singer and Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hütz and Bed-Stuy based pornstar Queenie Sateen were awarded the day's honors. Advertisement 6 Eugene Hütz and Queenie Sateen were crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid. Michael Nagle 6 There were 30,000 at the festivities, according to police estimates. Michael Nagle Hütz, who has been living in New York since 1997, was not only finally able to attend this year, but take on the venerable title. 'Every year I hear about it and … some kind of a big splashy burlesque action … and I'm always on tour,' he said. 'And all these years go by like that, let's finally see it already, you know? And then this year, miraculously, we're touring in the later part of the summer, not earlier part of the summer. And I get a call, so it's like, you know, 10 out of 10.' 6 Paula Carlson dressed as a 'more modern mermaid.' Samantha Olander Paula Carlson, 47, of Bay Ridge, a retired emergency manager, dressed as a 'more modern mermaid' in homage to Hütz. 'I wanted to pay tribute, because it is Eugene [Hütz as King Neptune] and he's Ukrainian, to the Rusalka, which is the Ukrainian myth of the mermaid, and she brings water to all of the crops.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
First-ever pornstar to be crowned Coney Island Queen Mermaid at parade
This year's Coney Island Mermaid Parade is going to be hot and steamy — and not just because of the sweltering temperatures. The annual fishy fete has announced they are crowning a porn star as this year's Queen Mermaid — which is a first for the quirky and beloved Brooklyn event in its nearly 50-year history. Blue movie actress Queenie — whose career accomplishments include an Adult Video News Award for Best Orgy — says she couldn't be happier to be the first of her profession to be leading the parade. Advertisement 7 Queenie will be the first pornstar to serve as the Coney Island Mermaid Queen. Michael Nagle 'I'm honored to be the first. Obviously, it's so important to have representation of sex workers. I know that porn stars are the most public of that, but I'm proud to be able to represent the pornstar/sex worker girly community in such a iconic and storied New York institution,' Queenie told The Post Thursday at her Bed-Stuy home. Queenie, who shed her given name years ago, was asked to be this year's Mermaid Queen last week, and will serve beside this year's King Neptune, Eugene Hütz, who is the frontman of the Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello. Advertisement The adult film actress accepted the honor without any hesitation, noting the 'really iconic list of legends' who preceded her, which includes Queens Queen Latifah and Carol Razdiwill, and even the de Blasio kids. She'll storm the parade float Saturday in an elaborate crown and dress made by friends, with vibes she described as: 'shipwrecked seawench mermaid gladiatrix princess.' It wasn't until The Post told her she would be the first ever mattress actress to serve as the festivities' royalty that Queenie realized her presence would signify much more than fun. 7 Queenie won the award for Best New Starlet and Best Music in the same year. Michael Nagle Advertisement 'That's what New York is all about: the people who are misfits and come from wherever the f–k they're from all over the world, and they come here because they can be weird here and find other weird people and be creative and have this unbridled sense of curiosity and play. I feel like the Mermaid Parade really embodies that,' she said. Despite the parade's long history of being a progressive and open place, Queenie felt unsuprised that it took 43 years for a pornstar to serve as the festival's monarch. 'It's a really stigmatized industry and really insular and really kept apart from other industries,' she explained. 'But I also think it's really cool that I'm the first at this time now where a lot of our rights are coming under attack. Especially towards the adult community, it's become such a target of like freedom of expression and speech. So many states now are cracking down on porn,' she continued, referencing the dozens of states that have blocked X-rated sites like Pornhub in recent months. Advertisement 7 Queenie's career in the adult film industry 'stems from the curiosity,' she said. Michael Nagle 7 Her costume for the parade will give off 'shipwrecked seawench mermaid gladiatrix princess' vibes. Michael Nagle Queenie made her foray into the adult film industry back in 2022 after enjoying a decade in the New York City underground music scene as a club kid and part of her band 'Sateen.' 'I always see everything that I do as an extension of my creative self and doing adult films was something I was curious about,' Queenie said, adding that she was invested in 1980s-era Italian erotica films like that of Giovanni 'Tinto' Brass, and had dreams of becoming a modern day 'Tinto Brass girl.' 'It all stems from the curiosity and if I'm afraid of doing something, it's like a challenge to myself to do it and to explore it. So in that way, I consider it to be part of my artistic self. It's a performance art. And it's also a job.' Since then, Queenie has racked up numerous awards in the porn industry and for her music. 7 'Obviously, it's so important to have representation of sex workers,' said Queenie. Michael Nagle In 2024, she was named Best New Starlet and Best Music by the XMAs Awards and Adult Video News Awards, respectively. Advertisement This year, she defended her Best Music crown, while also racking up the title for Best Orgy. Plus, her experience in the adult film industry is giving her plenty of inspiration for her continuing music career — her newest single, 'Downfalling,' slated to be released next week, details the hate and shame lobbed in her direction, including from the very same people who view her videos. 'It's a drum and bass track with lots of fun harmonies and stuff about being a porn star. It's about getting weird DMs and wanting to push men down stairs,' she teased. The new song will mark a turn from Queenie's previous disco-house sound to fall under the pop umbrella and live in the same playlists that feature fellow former club kid Charli XCX, she said. Advertisement 7 Queenie will serve as parade royalty alongside Eugene Hütz, the frontman of the Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello. Michael Nagle Her legendary history in the club scene is exactly why the parade organizers picked her for the royal gig. Her sex work was more of a plus. 'She's a very well-known underground act as far as first band Sateen — so filled with color,' Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA's new Artistic Director, told The Post. 'At the end of the day, being sex worker positive — we as an organization, we have no problem with that. We have absolutely no regrets. We're very excited about it.' Advertisement 7 Thousands are drawn to the annual Mermaid Parade every year. Michael Nagle for NY Post Queenie appeared unworried about potential naysayers who might wag their fingers at her trailblazing appearance, imploring them instead to 'be a bit more open-minded and try to embrace everyone.' 'This is a parade where freedom is the main centerpiece of why everyone is there. I have done my research and I know that there's a lot of nudity already there. So I feel like if you're bringing your kids to the Mermaid parade, you already know that,' Queenie said. 'Sex workers are people and artists and plumbers and so many things. It's a job that a lot of people have for part of their lives, and sometimes it's a whole career. I would also ask them to open their mind a little bit and have a little bit more compassion.'
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Coney Island Mermaid Parade guide
We hope you've been stocking up on glitter and nautical attire: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade returns as one of the best Brooklyn attractions for its 43rd year! Thousands of spectators flock to Surf Avenue—Coney Island's main drag—each year to watch King Neptune and Queen Mermaid lead a procession of glittering, semi-nude marchers in costumes during one of the best NYC events in June. The annual event, started by Coney Island USA founder Dick Zigun in 1983, has become a neighborhood mainstay. Read on for everything you need to know about the event, from how to join, where and when the parade starts, and more. Don't miss your chance to enjoy a whimsical and wild afternoon at one of the best New York beaches! What is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? Half-naked mermaids and mermen and other creatures covered in glitter and scales invade the streets of Coney Island for this annual bacchanal by the sea. With thousands of spectators, it's known as the nation's largest art parade. When is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is on Saturday, June 21, kicking off at 1pm—rain or shine. This year's forecast is expected to be toasty with temperatures in the mid-80s, so do your best to stay cool. Where is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? The Mermaid Parade begins at Surf Avenue and W 20th Street, traveling along Surf Avenue and the Boardwalk before ending at Steeplechase Plaza. For the best chance of getting a good spot, show up by 11am. Or if you're willing to shell out $200, you can become a Coney Island USA member and snag a spot in the coveted Judge's Stands. Who are King Neptune and Queen Mermaid this year? This year's king will be Eugene Hütz of punk band Gogol Bordello and singer Queenie Sateen Every year, the King and Queen are wheeled through the parade in an antique wicker boardwalk rolling chair from 1923. Then, at about 4pm, they'll be led to the beach at 19th Street and the boardwalk for a ceremony formally opening the ocean for the summer swimming season. How can I participate in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? You still have time: There are various registration levels—for families, 'artsy marchers,' antique cars and more—and different fees apply for each one. As of now, registration is closed online, but you can register in-person (cash-only) starting at 10am on the day of the parade. All the details are available at Coney Island USA's website.
