Over the past 30 years, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade has become the country’s largest art parade. With its shimmering, extravagant floats, fabulously zany performers, and pastie-plastered nips as far as the eye can see, there’s really nothing like it. But after Sandy destroyed the freakshow, museum, and performance space whose revenue provides funding, this year’s parade is in danger.
The mermaids and mermaid allies have beseeched kind souls via Kickstarter to help raise $100,000 by June 3rd. A worthy cause to be sure, but also, this Kickstarter is ART.
As you might expect from the masters of all that glitters and is freaky, their video pitch is highly entertaining in itself, with narration provided by Coney Island’s “unofficial mayor” and hero of all weirdos, Dick Ziggin, along with special guests from the freak show.
Backer gifts include artist-designed temporary tattoos and “Freak Flags,” 3D photo prints, a private, air conditioned porta-potty FLOAT, and other delicious mysteries yet to be unveiled. C’mon, guys, do it for the pasties.
