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BROOKLYN, NY, June 18, 2022 – Mermaids, Neptunes, and pirates surface from their watery home to delight young and old as they swimmingly saunter along Surf Avenue for the 40th Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Two Covid years have passed… Now silly, scary, sweet, sequined-tailed creatures return to delight the boardwalk crowds. Drummers and brass band sounds abound announcing mermaids in their colorful extravagant human/fish attire on this cool breezy summer day. Leading the way, Mermaid King Dr. David Chokshi, former NYC Health Commissioner, who held a massive vaccination needle, reminding everyone to get pinched. We all hope the good Doc also signals the pandemic’s end, if ever we are so lucky. We return to the water following ancient water rituals to celebrate the solstice, the beginning of summer dreams.
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Jeff Day, an independent photographer based in New York City, documents city life celebrations and the renewal of historical tradition in contemporary voice in the streets. He is completing two books, New Orleans Black and White and New York Street. A lifelong sailor, Jeff has also documented the water’s edge and shore towns of New York, New England, the Gulf Coast, and Eastern Spain.
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To see more of Jeff’s work, click here.
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All copyrighted photos courtesy of Jeff Day.
