About the Class

It can be daunting to take the plunge, but once you've strutted the boardwalk in a figure flattering tail, you'll share our conviction that the absolute best way to experience the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is as a participant.

Veteran Mermaid Ayun Halliday, author of the Zinester's Guide to NYC, will guide you through the entire process, from designing your costume and lining up your crew, to parade day survival tips and beyond!

Topics to be covered include:

• Overcoming shyness to flaunt whatever it is that you've got!
• Determining your theme
• Pulling together a great low budget costume from thrift shops, 99cent stores, craft supplies, and more
• Determining who will make a good crew member
• Maintaining visual cohesion
• How to join an existing group
• Registration and other red tape
• Transportation
• Your parade day survival kit
• Interacting with photographers both amateur and pro
• Bribing the judges
• Staying on the right side of the law
• Cultivating a winning mer-sonality
• Bathroom strategies
• Meeting up with friends when nobody's got cell reception
• Reliving the glory in cyberspace (or making the paparazzi work for you!)

Working together, we'll tackle any costume dilemmas you may be having, share likely supply sources, and make sure that everyone walks with a custom-sized pattern for Mermaid Ayunee's Super-Cinchy Comfort Tail, guaranteed to flatter mermaids of all shapes & sizes.

Note: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade takes place Saturday June 18, rain or shine. Spend one hour with Ayun, and you will be ready!