The Mermaid Parade is going to need to raise $100,000 in order for the 30-year Coney Island tradition to continue this summer. That nasty hag Sandy all but swallowed up the eclectic beachside community last October, delivering a thrashing that caused around $400,000 in damages to the parade's organizers, Coney Island USA, which also runs the freak show, a burlesque show, and the Coney Island Museum
The Kickstarter for the parade officially launched yesterday, and has already netted $26,465 from 538 backers.
Its accompanying media features endearing entreaties from several Coney Island personalities, including parade founder and "unofficial mayor of Coney Island," Dick Zigun, wearing his characteristic antique bathing costume, and a young boy decrying the mermaids as being "too naked."
"Don't come just for the cleavage," one sophisticate says in the video. "There's so much more to the Mermaid Parade." Watch the whole video below, and contribute to the cause yourself here.
