Poseidon’s Parade Set for Sept. 27
By Bert Sanders
Faithful Rockaway Times readers know that when Bert Sanders hits the paper, the summer is almost over. As usual, I’m here to give updates on Poseidon’s Parade, which is the official conclusion of the summer here in Rockaway. While Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer arrives painfully early, this year’s parade will fall later than ever! The 11th annual Poseidon’s Parade will be held on Saturday, September 27! That means there is plenty of time to prepare, brainstorm, and register a group or individual at poseidonsparade.com.
Rockaway has truly come alive this summer. There have been record crowds, epic concerts at the Hotel, a plethora of live music from the concessions to our favorite bayside bars, and even a spur of creative content about Rockaway cast upon social media. It has been another summer of shark sightings, lifeguard heroics (and controversy), Summer Classic Basketball, mobbed volleyball tournaments, and boisterous bar crawls.
This week, however, really took the cake for Rockaway. Hurricane Erin provided Rockaway with the best summertime waves in at least a decade. Rockaway locals have been all over social media scoring overhead barrels, showing the surfing world what a bunch of scrappy Queens kids can do! No surfer in their right mind would have ever been out of town for that swell!
The only waves bigger than that epic Friday morning was the groundswell of creativity and local spirit that took over the Rockaway Beach Amphitheater this weekend with Shakespeare on the Rocks’ production of Romeo and Juliet. For four nights, Beach 95th Street was jammed packed with beach chairs to witness the spectacle. Directed by Rob Bryn, this production put a unique Rockaway stamp on the timeless classic. I never thought I’d live to see the nutcracker man making sales during a Shakespeare production with Jerry Rea on a stage with actors combining professional literary acumen with a nautical lightness. The mannerisms of the tree seemed oddly familiar. I still don’t understand how he could hold up those branches after a week of Erin swell. Maybe the cast can bust out a cameo on the 27th?
The creativity should prove to be foreshadowing for the yearly stroll down the boardwalk. This year’s parade will feature some new faces, and a unique judging panel. Shane the Enchantress from Rockaway Creates will be working the crowd at the judging arena, which will once again feature judges on lifeguard towers on Beach 102nd Street. Shane will bring a unique mix of charm, wit, and beauty to the yearly art takeover. We are looking for a boisterous co-host with acting experience, blue hair, the gift of gab, and hands like butter to help her narrate the madness. If you can think of anyone worthy, alert the media.
The aforementioned madness will be judged intensely by the watchful eyes of a lifeguard only judging panel. As if they didn’t sit enough time during the “summer of the three way,” where lifeguards were forced to double their sitting time under a tyrannical Parks Department, every judge for this year’s parade is either a current, or former NYC Lifeguard. I asked Casey about the decision: “The idea started when the Prom King and Queen asked if they could be judges instead of leading the parade. As the ruthless dictator of the event, I knew I could make their dream come true. Jackie Kenel and her handsome suitor Lyle were both lifeguards. This gave me the idea to fill the stands with the guardians of the Atlantic.” Casey then got back to frantically spray-painting sea shells for the Surf’s Up themed trophies.
Speaking of Surf’s Up, recently retired lifeguard Christian Agoglia, who bears a striking resemblance to Cody Maverick, will also sit upon the dais. He will be joined by 117’s “Smiley Reilly,” who will trek down from college to harshly judge parade participants. While Christian is a pleaser, expect Reilly to bring a dose of raw Belle Harbor honesty to the panel. Participants may want to consider bribery.
This year’s parade will start at 1 p.m. at Caracas (Beach 106th Street). It will end at the Rockaway Amphitheater where there will be live music, DJs, and free face painting. The Mermaid Brigade thanks 97 concessions for hosting them in the years after covid, but it’s time to return to the original end of the parade at Beach 95th Street!
Stay tuned to learn about the rest of the judges, the official categories, the entertainment lineup, and insight into Rockaway happenings. Register for the parade at PoseidonsParade.com. You can also donate to the parade’s non for profit using Zelle (poseidonsparade@gmail.com). Proceeds will go towards parade costs, as well as entertainment at the conclusions of the parade at the Rockaway Amphitheater. If you are interested in helping out, reach out to 347-234-2087. (Poseidon’s Parade Inc. is a registered 501c3).
