NYC mayor a pirate among mermaids at zany parade

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio portrayed himself as a man of the people in last year’s election. On Saturday, he became a pirate among mermaids.

De Blasio showed up for Saturday’s zany Coney Island Mermaid Parade wearing a puffy pirate shirt and brandishing a fake sword. Organizers say he’s the first mayor to come in costume.

De Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, and their daughter, Chiara (kee-AHR’-uh) de Blasio, chose blue and gold mermaid dresses.

De Blasio’s son, Dante, was bare-chested and painted blue.

Dante and Chiara were chosen King Neptune and Queen Mermaid of the parade.

The teens were wheeled in a 1923 wicker rolling chair along the parade route.

The event draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to the beach each year. Many wear revealing, mermaid-themed costumes.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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