21 of the most outrageous looks from the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade has been drawing thousands of spectators to the seaside destination since it first began in 1983, and a huge part of that attraction has always been the outrageous costumes worn by parade participants.

From life-sized lobsters to psychedelic pirates, here are some of our favorite pics of creative revelers marching alongside King Neptune and Queen Mermaid over the years. You can see all the craziness for yourself next weekend, when the Mermaid Parade takes over Surf Avenue on Saturday, June 18.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Coney Island Mermaid Parade

1. A beard fit for a king

Photograph: Courtesy Coney Island Museum

 

2. Before LinkedIn, you had to be a lot more aggressive with networking

Photograph: Courtesy Coney Island Museum

 

3. A wicker clown car is the Coney Island equivalent of a taxi

Photograph: Courtesy Coney Island Museum

 

4. You can't knock this guy points for minimalism

Photograph: Courtesy J Carter Rinaldi

 

5. Probably not a gang you want to mess with

Photograph: Courtesy J Carter Rinaldi

 

6. She wanted to be where the people were... And she found it!

Photograph: Courtesy J Carter Rinaldi

 

7. When you know what color works for you and just own it

Photograph: Luciana Golcman

 

8. Excuse me, ma'am, I believe you have something on your shoulder

Photograph: Luciana Golcman

 

9. "Some people say I can come off a little cold."

Photograph: Luciana Golcman

 

10. This guy definitely voted

Photograph: Luciana Golcman

 

11. "Strong, independent mermaid looking for two banner boys for THIS Saturday."

Photograph: Luciana Golcman

 

12. Anybody else craving butter?

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

13. When your hair stylist is really bad at hiding treasure

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

 

 

14. "Hey buddy, my eyes are up here!"

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

15. "It's natural, actually."

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

16. The perfect way to confront an ex that gave you an STD

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

17. The bird is real, and so is the swag

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

18. What a Pantene Pro-V model sees in her darkest nightmares

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

19. With a smile like that, who needs tentacles?

 

20. #Squadgoals

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak

 

21. A solid look, even if she did just wing it

Photograph: Courtesy Filip Wolak