Carmen MERanda & the Samba Sharks br - In Three Parts- br br Every year my friends and I participate in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade which is one of New York's most interesting events. This event is one of the things that makes living in NY a great place. The dynamic energy and creativity is a joy to be a part of! Visit the parade organizer's web site to see the other great things they do www.coneyislandusa.com br br FYI, we found those amazing sandals that matched Carmens outfit perfectly at a local .99¢ store. Exactly what we needed and for less than a buck - too good to be true! br Well, they literally began to break apart on the way to Coney Island that morning then continued to self-destruct during the parade so that not a single pair was in tact by the end of the parade.