Students experienced an eclectic blend of America’s art culture with the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island on June 14. The largest art parade in the nation, the Mermaid Parade has traditionally been a celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk fun.

On this hot, summer day, Coney Island became more than just a seaside attraction. Along with the CCIP students, hundreds of thousands showed up, some even in shimmering mermaid costumes and faces painted in blues and greens, to see the artworks of over 1,500 creative individuals from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.

As the students walked through Coney Island, they saw parade floats and vintage cars, listened to local bands, and admired the showcased artwork.

"I've never been to anything like this," said second year Public Relations and Advertising student Cleo Mai, one of the student leaders for this activity who came from Macau University of Science and Technology. "A lot of things were so unfamiliar to me at the parade, but I could appreciate how American culture includes so many different things."