March of the Mermaids returns to Brighton, UK Saturday July 26, 2014
Mermaids, mermen, sea creatures and seafaring folk of all kinds will be invading the shores of Hove and Brighton seafront this July, to take part in a colourful cavalcade as a celebration of our seas and sealife. The march is all in aid of raising awareness of marine conservation and funds for the Marine Conservation Society.
March of the Mermaids has been created by organiser Hannah Chilton, 26 from Brighton, after a life-long obsession with mermaids and a passion for sideshows, carnivals and fun fairs. Hannah was inspired to create the event after years of following the Coney Island Mermaid Parade which takes place every year in Brooklyn, New York. The parade, now in its 31st year, sees people in a whole host of marine costumes take to the streets and the boardwalk as a celebration of the start of the summer season.
Last year, the first year of March of the Mermaids, saw hundreds of marchers dressed as their favourite sea creature of choice come together to take part in the UK’s first official gathering of mer-folk.
The event is a family friendly day for all ages to take part in and this year the organisers are encouraging as many other groups and charities as possible to come along and promote their own marine related campaigns by having a presence at the march.
The meeting point for the parade is on Hove Lawns at 2pm (next to the Peace Statue). The parade commences at 3pm and ends approx. at 4pm at the after-party venue, Above Audio on Marine Parade. Here there will be music, live entertainment and the crowning of our Queen Mermaid and King Prawn.
This year the march will be followed by a further ‘Fin-ale’ party at the Fortune of War from 8.30pm.
The next fundraiser party coming up is ‘Fin-Dependence Day’ at Bom-Bane’s, George Street, Brighton. July 3rd from 7.30pm. A screening of the 1948 classic, ‘Mr Peabody and the Mermaid’, followed by music and performances from Jane Bom-Bane.
You can find out more about the fundraiser and the day itself on the event’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mermaids.march or www.marchofthemermaids.com
If you would like to find out more information about the day, or to come along and flip your fins, shake your shells and twirl your tentacles please get in touch with Hannah by phone 07910 208 425 or email hannah@marchofthemermaids.com
Photo credit: Neil W. Shaw
