Mermaid Festival Will Make An Even Bigger Splash At Kingsland Point Park In Sleepy Hollow This Year

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — It's time once again to pay tribute to Poseidon in the most enjoyable way possible.

The Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival will return to Kingsland Point Park on Saturday, July 18, bringing back a family-friendly waterfront event that has grown into a major summer draw in the village. The festival runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and will mark its third year.

Festival co-organizer Megan Isenstadt said the event drew more than 10,000 people last year.

"We are floored by how this homegrown event has captured people's imaginations," Isenstadt said. "Last year, over 10,000 people came out to celebrate the Hudson River with us. It's become a joyful local tradition that brings people together through art, environmental advocacy, and really just a love for this beautiful river."

The festival supports Riverkeeper with a portion of its ticket sales and will again include a costume parade, live music, art-making activities, performances, and environmental programming centered on Hudson River access. Organizers said the once-public beach at Kingsland Point Park will be open for wading during the festival, with lifeguards and beach management provided by the Shames JCC.

"Riverkeeper is delighted to be a part of the Mermaid Festival again this year. The highlight of the day is the opening of the Hudson River beach for festival goers to connect with the River," says Tracy Brown, President and Hudson Riverkeeper. "We have only four public beaches in the Hudson River estuary and we think Kingsland Point Park Beach in Sleepy Hollow should be the fifth. We are grateful to all the mermaids and mermen who turn out and show what love of swimming in community looks like every year at this unique event."

This year's costume land parade will focus on Hudson River ecology and aquatic life with new custom puppets. Brown said Riverkeeper will bring its Fish Migration Celebration to the festival. "Riverkeeper will bring our mission of protecting and healing the Hudson River with our Fish Migration Celebration at the Mermaid Festival this year with puppets, song, and dance that celebrate the seasonal return of our migrating fish," says Brown.

The Shames JCC and Rivertowns SUP and Yoga are also participating.

"The Shames JCC is honored to be a partner on this incredible community celebration, bringing people of all ages together to experience joy through movement, creation, performance, and connection," says Adam Weiss, CEO of the Shames JCC on the Hudson.

Tara Scheller, founder of Rivertowns SUP and Yoga, said the water parade offers "a truly immersive way to experience the Hudson."

Free activities and performances will include Mermaid Lagoon photo ops, live music, art-making, The Little Mermaid puppet show, and a fish parade on land and water ending in a costume contest. Food, beverage and craft vendors will include Captain Lawrence, Cousins Maine Lobster, Walters Hot Dogs, Jimmy's Soft Serve, and Duck Donuts.

To accommodate the festival's growth, organizers will charge a $10 ticket fee. Admission will be free for children under 10 and Sleepy Hollow residents. More information is available through Hudson River Mermaids.