bill de blasio's new york

Cute Overload: Chiara and Dante de Blasio Will Be King and Queen of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

New York City's 109th Mayor Bill de Blasio stands on stage with his family Chiara de Blasio (center) Dante de Blasio (right) and wife Chirlane McCray (left) at City Hall on January 1, 2014 in New York City. Mayor de Blasio was sworn in using a Bible once owned by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Following the 12 years of the Michael Bloomberg administration, Mayor de Blasio won on a liberal platform that emphasized the growing gulf between the rich and poor in New York City.
Winter is over. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Joining such New York City luminaries as Howard Stern, Queen Latifah, Moby, and Lou Reed, the mayor’s kids will be crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid at the 32nd annual Mermaid Parade on June 21. As part of the honors, Chiara and Dante, both Brooklyn natives, will be wheeled around in the Boardwalk Rolling Chair, a wicker antique from 1923.

We are extraordinarily honored to have the participation of New York City’s First Family in the parade,” said Coney Island “mayor” Dick Zigun. “King Neptune and Queen Mermaid represent the young adults of New York City who are the next generation of visitors to Coney Island and Coney Island USA.” While Chiara has been known to rock a flower crown, the parade has a month to figure out one that works with the ’fro.

Chiara, Dante de Blasio Will Rule Mermaid Parade