When you look at the long list of festivals and fairs that are coming up this year all around New York, there’s plenty to be excited about. Each event has its own attractions to offer, but there’s one phenomenal parade that’s unlike any other in the nation. Celebrating its 36th year, it’s time to mark this epic parade down on your calendar!

One of the most whimsical events you'll ever witness, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in America.
Steven Pisano/Flickr
Taking place this year on Saturday, June 16th, the Mermaid Parade begins at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue and makes it way down to the boardwalk.
John Gillespie/Flickr
Passing by streets like Mermaid Avenue and Neptune Avenue, the parade is made up of antique cars that are often filled with oceanic creatures.
Betty Tsang/Flickr
And decorated floats that display all types of mermaids and mermen.
Luna Park NYC/Filckr
The parade's founder Dick D. Zigun considers the Coney Island event to be a huge free party for locals, creating the parade so that people celebrate mythology and show their artistic sides.
Richie S/Flickr
Each year you never know what to expect, with people creating eye-catching pieces of art that are carried throughout the parade.
Betty Tsang/Flickr

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Thousands of people participate in the parade each year, putting their creativity to work to see what kind of nautical costume they can come up with.
Shinya Suzuki/Flickr
Each year participants of the parade are given themes to follow when creating their looks.
Jennivere Kenlon/Flickr
In recent years the Mermaid Parade has drawn in hundreds of thousands of people, with one year even having 800,000 onlookers at Coney Island.
Steven Pisano/Flickr
And at the end of the parade, a King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are crowned!
Shinya Suzuki/Flickr
Once the parade officially ceases, the fun still continues as everyone gathers at the beach for the official Beach Ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the summer swimming season.
PrettyKateMachine/Flickr
Turning Coney Island into one big Mermaid festival, this is a fun way for everyone to kick off the summer!
Betty Tsang/Flickr
To find out more information and to register to participate in this year's Coney Island Mermaid Parade, click here.

What’s the most whimsical parade or festival that you’ve ever attended in the Empire State? For more out-of-the-ordinary festivals, read about These 11 Weird And Wacky Festivals In New York That You Can’t Miss This Year!

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