"Coney Island's Mermaid Parade Draws Thousands for 41st Year"
The 41st Mermaid Parade was held in Coney Island, honoring hip-hop legend Kool Keith as its king and city Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo as its queen. The parade, which is billed as the nation's largest arts parade, is a family-friendly event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. The parade has been held nearly every year since 1983, but went virtual in 2020 and was cancelled in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The parade marks the start of the official summer swimming season on Coney Island.