Surf Avenue was filled with festive people Saturday as the 41st annual Mermaid Parade kicked off the summer season for Coney Island. 

Each year, Surf Avenue is flooded with decorative floats and people in sea creature costumes. Organizers say this is the largest art parade in the country.  

One couple drove down from Pennsylvania, telling News 12 that they've been working on their elaborate octopus costume for three weeks. 

“I'm from Brooklyn and it's my first! I had to move to Pennsylvania and come back to do the parade,” said the parade goer.  

News 12’s Shakti Denis joined thousands of aquatic creatures of all shapes and sizes as they flowed down Surf Avenue.