Gowanus Lounge has tons of Mermaid Parade coverage. Go there. or read this by Ingrid Kelly from New York 1.

The stage was set for the 2007 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.

Some participants arrived early just to put the finishing touches on their artistic creations.

"I want people to be enchanted by what they see and want them to
never see anything of this kind again,” said parade participant Daniel
Green.

And when the parade started, it was all show time. Some spectators
say it’s the unique sights and sounds that keep them coming back each
year. In fact, some arrived hours early just to get a front row view.

"[I’m] very excited to be here,” said spectator Gelmis Ventura.
“It’s just so great to see many different costumes, so many different
people and I’m having a great time. I love it."

Organizers say what makes the Mermaid Parade special is that it’s
dedicated to artistic self expression. In fact, the hope this year was
to attract a half million people. It was a hope shared by vendors along
the route.

"The businesses all make more money on the day of the parade than
any other day of the season,” said Mermaid Parade founder Dick Zigun.

Zigun says this year’s event is even more special with all the talk of some landmarks leaving the neighborhood.

"Some amusements in Coney Island are closing, but all of the
classics – the Cyclone roller coaster stays, the Wonder Wheel stays,
Nathan’s Hot Dogs, and without question, the Mermaid Parade stays. We
are here for good,” said Zigun.