The House of Too Much Trouble

Coney Island USA’s 30th annual Mermaid Parade is getting closer and closer.  Despite its fame, most people don’t know that parades of this type are nothing new to Coney Island.  

Coney Island Mardi Gras Parade Bathing Beauties, 1952

From 1903 until 1953 Coney Island celebrated its annual Mardi Gras Parade after Labor Day, (it was never during actual Mardi Gras).  It was created as a fundraiser for the Coney Island Rescue Mission for wayward girls.  It evolved into a colorful spectacle of floats, people in costumes, floats, and city officials, complete with its own king and queen. 

International Police Conference Mardi Gras Badge

The Coney Island Museum has many objects, photographs and artifacts from the Coney Island Mardi Gras Parade.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to highlight a few.  

Mardi Gras Ribbon

Our annual Mermaid Parade pays homage to this aspect of Coney Island history and is guaranteed to be a great time on June 23rd.

-Katie Karkheck