Poseidon’s Parade

We were busy applying narwhal and dolphin tattoos on each other and picking out the best of our under the sea themed gear, so we were running a bit behind. But, we hustled to the boardwalk and arrived just in time to watch the bedazzled Poseidon Parade entrants swing by the judges’ stand.

The mermaids, mermen, and Darth Vader, perched regally atop five lifeguard stands, would determine the winners of the day. In awe and with a sense of pride in our community, we watched yet another epic and wildly creative Rockaway Beach event unfold.

The energy level on Saturday was high, as adults and kids, locals and out-of-towners, spectators and participants alike packed in together just to have fun, display all the possible ways to wear a seashell, and celebrate the ocean.

As silly as the day may be, it’s so fitting for our community, perched right on the sea, to host a festival that celebrates anything and everything ocean. In our own unique way — draped in sequins, seashells, body glitter, and atop papier-mâché submarines — we paid homage to what we can’t live without.

We spotted the Glorified Tomato herself looking chic as ever as Goldie Hawn in ‘80s glam — complete with sunglasses and parasol. Our hearts melted a little watching the runaway mermaid (a bulldog unknowingly wearing a sparkly mermaid tail) get lifted back into its aquarium scene. The Gods and Goddesses of Rockaway offered an impressively choreographed dance, and the environmentalists in us particularly admired a woman’s dress made entirely of recycled plastic water bottles. Everyone brought their A-game!

Then, the expertly-crafted yellow submarine rolled in and stole the show, setting the bar pretty high for next year’s Poseidon Parade. While it was still fun getting to see all the costumes from the sidelines, we definitely plan to jump into the action next year.

For those who missed it, there’s always next year! Since the Poseidon Parade is low-key and a little more G-rated than Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade (no seashell pasties in sight) and so easy to access (just hop on the A train), it’s appropriate for the whole family. We’re excited to see the parade grow each year and keep our community connected to the ocean.

As we reluctantly let go of summer, it helps to have local events like this to look forward to and ease us into fall! The next community event will be Rockaway’s Honey Fest at Beach 106th Street this Saturday. – AM

Originally shared by The Wave on September 21, 2017