Mermaids on hand for Coney Island festival

NEW YORK, June 21 (UPI) -- Actor Harvey Keitel joined rain-soaked revelers at the annual Mermaid Parade in New York's Coney Island district, visitors said.

Cherry Delight of North Salem, N.Y., said Saturday's parade allowed people to embrace the best part of the tourist spot, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

"This parade is everything that Coney Island is about," said Delight, 22, decked out in a skimpy cowgirl outfit and riding a wooden seahorse. "It's about summer, the beach, the mermaids, togetherness, fun."

"It's so much fun," offered fellow parade attendee Maggie Bavuso. "This is a side of New York you never see anywhere else."

Despite the fact Saturday's parade was beset by rain, 28-year-old Jennifer Cullen said she and her friends were determined to attend dressed as zombie mermaids.

"You have to make the best of it," Cullen, 28, told the Daily News. "It's always fun, rain or shine."

Keitel, star of "Reservoir Dogs" and "Red Dragon," wore black and a silver crown to serve as the parade's honorary head, King Neptune.His wife Daphna served as Queen Mermaid.

"As Mel Brooks said, 'It's good to be the king,'" said Keitel, 70.