For more than three decades, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, but the cost of production has gone up.

This year, donations have been pouring in to make sure the show still goes on.

The parade started as a small event in 1983. As the event grew in size, so did its price tag.

“The city is insisting, rightly so, on professional management, insurance, and other issues," Dick Zigun, the parade founder, says. "It's costing the not-for-profit over $100,000 a year which is a strain on our overall budget."

Coney Island USA, one of the parade planners, started raising money a few weeks ago, taking in $9,000.  The overall goal is $50,000. 

Manhattan Beach native Meyer Orbach stepped in and donated $20,000. He is also offering a challenge to the public to match his donation.

Organizers say they are confident they will meet there goal by the parade's date on June 17.