Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer lead New York’s Mermaid Parade

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NEW YORK (AP) — Throngs of people dressed as mermaids, fish and other aquatic creatures packed New York’s Coney Island on Saturday for a sun-soaked edition of the zany Mermaid Parade.

Crowds cheered as Neil Gaiman, the author of fantasy works such as “American Gods,” and his wife Amanda Palmer, a musician with the Dresden Dolls duo, led the parade dressed as King Neptune and Queen Mermaid.

The couple and their 2-year-old son were wheeled along the beachfront route in a wicker chair, taking in the colorful scenery that included everyone from a princess mermaid to a pirate zombie.

“We absolutely love mermaids and mythology and everything and this is like the most fun,” said parade-goer Carley Boltz. “We just get to go once a year and just dress up and have a blast.”

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Baltimore’s Charm City Tails members Lisa Locklear, left, Kristen Edwards, center, and Rae Beth pose for a photo at New York’s Coney Island before the 36th annual Mermaid Parade, Saturday, June 16, 2018. Image: AP Photo/Julie Walker
Some participants in the 36th Annual Mermaid Parade gather under a skull and crossbones flag on the Coney Island boardwalk, Saturday, June 16, 2018. The Mermaid Parade was founded in 1983 and draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to the beach each year. Image: AP Photo/Julie Walker

Cindy Lopez’s princess mermaid mashup was complete with a tail that she planned to take for a dip in the ocean. Sean Marz wore sequins, an algae crown and seashells covering his skivvies.

“There’s a lot of shimmering objects pasted to my body,” he said.

The Mermaid Parade was founded in 1983 to bring mythology to life and give New Yorkers a chance to express themselves in public.

It draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to the beach each year. NVG

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