The spectators waiting patiently in the rain for the Mermaid Parade to begin.
On the morning of June 17, 2017, I was watching a news program when the Mermaid Parade was briefly mentioned. I decided to experience the Mermaid Parade since I had never been to one. I got dressed and headed to Coney Island.
It was cloudy. About 3 stops from Stillwell Avenue, the train doors opened to let people on and off. It was raining!! By the time we got to Stillwell, it had turned to a drizzle but not for long. It began to pour!! I mean, POUR. Though I had an umbrella, my pants were wet up to my knees! My sneakers were completely soaked. However, the parade did go on! Everyone around me said the crowd was not as large as prior years due to the rain. This was my first experience with the Mermaid Parade.
I suppose the mermaids did not mind the rain since they are always wet at sea. Almost at the end of the parade the rain stopped and the sun came out.
What is the Mermaid Parade? It's a little of everything: Mermaids, Gay Pride, Mardi Gras, political statements, July 4th, etc.
2017 Mermaid Parade Royalty: Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie!!
The parade was fun. The people around me were fun. It was a fun day!!
This page begins with photos from Page O5, P5 and Q5 of the old site
Mermaid Parade
June 17, 2017
These photos taken from Q train on my way to Coney Island as we crossed the Manhattan Bridge. Here we can see part of the FDR Drive
Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Skyline
Was she headed to the Parade?
As you can see, it had started to rain as the Q entered the station. Also next photo.
Participants headed to the starting point, West 21st Street
This person posed for everyone but I can't recall seeing her in the parade.
At first, a light rain.
And then it began to POUR
Vintage police car. The parade starts on 21st Street, goes down Surf Ave. and then turns right on 10th Street, & goes down the boardwalk till about 18th Street.
Seated - Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie
Participant could not keep dress or veil up. Too wet?
They start young!!
Can you see me?
Hint: Blue t-shirt
Spectators. The rain had eased up a little.
Have no idea what the sign he was carrying said.
Design inspired by traditional Asian boat building techniques.
Handmade rolling pins
Due to a comment Trump made in an interview about how he grabbed women, this became a rallying cry.
And who is this trio????
Even the seahorses participated
Dorothy and her gang from the Wizard of Sea Oz. Was there a Toto?
C (sea) Weed: For medicinal purposes only
Colorful hair
The End
Crowds outside Nathan's
Crowds on Boardwalk
On My way back to Queens after the Mermaid Parade
June 17, 2017
These were taking while I was waiting for Q train to go back home. Eventually, I had to transfer for another train, possibly R.
From inside the Q train
Back to Coney Island
July 13, 2017
Another photo, before and after, will appear below.
Aren't they adorable??
Minimal wooden
Wonder Wheel
This was part of a game
One of the colorful tiles on a wall next to the amphitheater
Elton on his way back from taking a stroll on the beach. July 13, 2017
Before and After June 7, 2017 July 25, 2017
Ferry to Ikea - March 28, 2012
Page RRR
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, before taking water taxi to Ikea in Brooklyn
Watchtower from Pier 17
Another view of Watchtower
Heliport on Pier 11
From inside the water taxi. It was raining.
Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges
Brooklyn's skyline
Brooklyn
Manhattan's skyline
Leaving Ikea
World Trade Center under construction
Fairway Market, Red Hook, Brooklyn
Close-up view of market
Manhattan as taxi headed back to pier
Manhattan
Photos taken from the Ikea in Red Hook
August 23, 2017
New Jersey in the background
Manhattan in the background
New Jersey on the left, Manhattan on the right.
Red Hook in the middle.
Parking lot for school buses in the foreground.
Ford Amphitheater August 24, 2017
Above - Ticket for the show
Inside the amphitheater
Parachute Jump lit up after the show
My review of the show:
We went to the Ford Amphitheater, Coney Island to see the Temptations (only original member left is Otis Williams), The Four Tops (only original member is Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Mary Wilson (originally of The Supremes), and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (none of the Vandellas are original, now the Vandellas are Martha's sisters, Lois and Delphine). Show started at 8 p.m. and ended at 11:50 p.m.
Viewing of stage? Impossible. What was visible was the back of the person sitting in front of me. Luckily, I was sitting on an aisle seat so I turned sideways, moved my upper torso into the aisle and was thus able to see the stage. Not a comfortable position, though. Elton was not as fortunate.
Seats? Awful. We were sitting in Section 203, Row GG, seats 1 and 2. Next time I will take a cushion and get seats in the front row of any section since there will be no one in front of me to block my view. The show was too long to be sitting on such uncomfortable seats.
Sound? Awful at first but got better. When the MC came out, he could not be heard since the microphone was dead. Martha started singing without any sound.
Mary and Martha performed for about 30 minutes while the Temptations and Four Tops performed for about an hour each. There was a break between acts since each performer had their own band. The break between the Four Tops and The Temptations was longer, more like what I would call an intermission. During each break, I stood up to stretch and massage my aching buttocks.
The monitor on each side of the stage were not used to transmit what was taking place on stage. Why not? We were told the acts must request the transmission. Maybe the acts are charged for the transmission? God only knows!!!
Even with all the problems, listening to all the fantastic music was great! Duke sang a solo, "My Life". I had never heard him sing a solo before. He has an incredible voice.
Motown - Incredible acts, incredible music!!
For more photos, please go to New York - D-5
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