They are mermaids with day. The Wilderness River Cruise runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Mermaid Sam Mermaid Sam is an artist and can even play the ukulele. On January 12, Florida's Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau will unveil the Mermaid Tale Trail, which features twenty-seven mermaid statues, hand-painted by regional artists, placed throughout nearby . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And the mermaids have been a going concern ever since. The $13 includes admission to the springs (including Buccaneer Bay Water Park), the Mermaid Show, wildlife shows, and the 20 minute river boat ride (when its operating). Shows may be canceled due to weather and no refunds are issued. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2023. Weeki Wachee became part of the Florida Parks Service in 2008. Until she saw a note about a call for synchronized swimmers, that is. Newton Perry, former U.S. Navy soldier, and stunt swimmer had a crazy idea in the 1940ies - to create an underwater show in the springs. It means little spring or winding river. The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. The show also includes several musical numbers. Perfect for wildlife viewing, the river grants some of the most dreamy scenery of any Florida waterway, with colorful birds perched in the trees and manatees grazing on billowing seagrass below. After the mermaid part of the morning was over, I felt pretty satisfied. Youre going to want something cold to drink, snacks, maybe something to sit on, definitely a hat and sunscreen. Escape From Paradise, Travel-writer & Blogger, Award-winning TV Host, Publisher, Travel Writer, Ambassador for www.Seven-Stars.com & 15 Emmy awards, Florida Governor William Sherman Jennings, University of South Florida (USF) development. We were extremely lucky to visit when the 'Former' mermaids all between their 50's and 60's, who have long retired, come once per month (voluntarily) and do a show. There is an admission fee that covers both the mermaid side and the water park side of the park. Even with the air tubes, though, its clear that part of being a mermaid is being able to hold your breath for quite a while. In its heyday, mermaids performed eight shows a day, and as many as half a million people traveled annually to Weeki Wachee to see the mermaids, including Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, and Esther Williams herself. Candidates from all over the world, as far away as Tokyo, come to this Gulf-coast destination in hopesof fulfilling their dreams of becoming a mermaid. Guests will be turned away when the park is full. I personally would go to the Mermaid Show first and then head to Buccaneer Bay and try to find a spot thats a little further away from everything (the ones closest to the springs are the ones that will go first). I love creating & composing history articles and lists. These cookies do not store any personal information. She was a teenager and vividly remembers her visit. On November 1, 2008, Weeki Wachee Springs became Florida's 162nd state park. Today, the mermaids perform using free-flowing oxygen . The Weeki Wachee mermaids put on eight shows a day to sold-out audiences, captivating as many as half a million people a year. View. On that day, the mermaids performed synchronized ballet moves underwater while breathing through the air hoses hidden in the scenery. In 1997, the popular Former Mermaid shows began, bringing former mermaids back to Weeki Wachee Springs to swim in the Mermaids of Yesteryear shows, which play . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Turns out that one of the ladies was an extra in my favorite movie. "It's a 400-seat theater that was submerged. It was created in 1947 by swimmer and attraction promoter Newt Perry. 19, 2021. June 16, 2017. The shows have been dazzling visitors for decades. WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. -- Eight women from all across the country came to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park this weekend for their chance to become a world famous mermaid. 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. What Mermaid Ashley enjoys most is hanging out with her animals. Choices include burgers, wraps, chicken fingers, sodas and ice cream. The Mermaid Shows are the most crucial part of the Weeki Wachee Springs. Its a good place to snorkel and see fish and turtles in the wild. McDonald was on-hand for the statues unveiling. Courtesy 4 of 4 Weeki Wachee Kristy__Amanda___Cheyenne_Sep27_19_8715 According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. Shortly after wed unpacked we were on the way to check out historic Brooksville and look for a nice place for dinner. And all the visitors able to see the magic they perform via this underwater theater., Thursday at 10 a.m., the park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called "The Mermaid Tale Trail.". Newt knew that humans could survive underwater by breathing air pumped through a hose by a compressor. In the shows the mermaids (and mermen called princes) discreetly take mouthfuls of air from the slender breathing tubes while they perform. Mermaid Kelley enjoys listening to Brett Young and loves anything chocolate. Pack a cooler or buy food once you get there. Related: Tigertail: Florida's Most Beautifully Underrated Family Beach. The attraction received worldwide attention. She can be reached at lianna.t@thetravel.com, Mermaids have intrigued sailors and land-dwellers alike for centuries, Why Neptune Memorial Reef Is So Much More Than An Ecosystem, Tigertail: Florida's Most Beautifully Underrated Family Beach, Manatee Watching: When & Where To See Florida's Gentle Giants. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. If I were going to make a day of it, I would probably pay the $7 to have access to that for the day. . As we researched accommodations for a two night stay we realized that Weeki Wachee and historic Brooksville are only about a 20 minute drive apart; close to the Gulf Coast and part of Floridas Adventure Coast. So, onto the show itselfthe 30 minutes youre waiting in the theater for the show to start feels like part of the show. Additionally, the water is kept at a constant temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit, but the current at the bottom of the spring is always moving at five miles per hour. In 1946, Newton Perry, a former US Navy man who trained SEALs to swim underwater in World War II, zeroed in on Weeki Wachee as a good site for a new business. Weeki Wachees heyday began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) and was heavily promoted. THE SHOW WAS SO GOOD. Susan B. Barnes is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience writing about food, travel and lifestyle. It was the most beautiful sight I think I ever saw. And no, this is not the first time Ive waited in line to meet a mermaid. Visitors enjoy the mermaids show with the gap of just a window. The first postcard in color of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids. And theres legendary siren Vicki Smith, now in her 80s and who, Athanason said, swam for Elvis Presley when he visited the park in 1961. We had to show them a few things we could do in order to be on the team, and we all made it. Towels, picnic blankets, and tents covered pretty much all available space in this part of the park. Candidates from across the globe train to become one of the live mermaids in Weeki Wachee. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. www.weekiwachee.com/kayak-rentals, Everyone wed asked about a unique place and good food for lunch had mentioned the Silver Dolphin, a restaurant and country store nestled in the heart of Hernando Beach. You can also embark on a paddling adventure down the pristine waterway of the Weeki Wachee River. Brooksville is home to many historic buildings and residences, including the homes of former Florida Governor William Sherman Jennings and football player Jerome Brown. When you first get into the park, youll either want to go straight to Buccaneer Bay to set up camp (especially if youre trying to get one of the like 5 lounge chairs) or to the Mermaid Show. The backdrop is that of a quintessential, small boating community secluded by marshes and barrier islands and we loved the feel even before we stepped through the door. It was created in 1947 by swimmer and attraction promoter Newt Perry. For centuries, these mythical creatures have captured the imagination of sailors and landlubbers alike. The mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs have delighted visitors since 1947. Twenty-six of the statues can be found on the brand new, public art Mermaid Tale Trail that winds through Hernando County. They all use their hoses now and fancy tails and the whole works.. Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by " mermaids ," women wearing fish tails as well as other fanciful outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River. The Ranger Experience is offered daily at 10 a.m., noon and 2:15 p.m. Several times each year, Weeki Wachee Springs puts on the 'Legendary Sirens' show, which brings former mermaids back to the underwater theater to perform alongside their current-day counterparts. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. On the day we went to Weeki Wachee, we left our hotel a little after 7AM and made it to the park by 8:30AM. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Weeki Wachee's mermaids were the fever dream of Newt Perry, a trainer of Navy frogmen during World War II. It was nothing to brag about. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). On my to do list were Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks, historic downtown Dunedin, the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks (Floridas Little Greece) and seeing the WEEKI WACHEE MERMAIDS. This charming, local, family-owned place is surrounded by lush, sprawling Florida landscape and a fun decorated, blooming garden. Free shipping for many products! Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Performing at a Mermaid Reunion Rita King, a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, in costume, performing an acrobatic routine. When Clairol set out to promote its Great Body Conditioning Shampoo in 1971, the brand landed on the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs, an underwater tourist attraction that could . You CANNOT do it once you arrive at the park. At 82-years young, mermaid Vickie Smith is the oldest performing Weeki Wachee mermaid. Effective March 20-May 26: The swimming area will be open daily. They start by introducing themselves, and their absolute love and deep . In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nations most popular tourist stops. In 1946, Newton Perry, a former member of the U.S. Navy who trained Navy Frogmen to swim underwater in World War II, came upon Weeki Wachee and had an idea for a business. We were excited like children when the curtains finally rolled up. Kayak rentals have to be reserved in advance. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. With the air hose, humans could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. If I was a mermaid -- or I wanted to meet some merpeople-- these are places I would go. Weeki Wachee became part of the Florida Parks Service in 2008. We didnt stick around much past noon because there were other things in the area that I wanted to do and I 100% just came for the Mermaid Show. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee and the History of Chinsegut Hill. They also trained to hold their breath underwater for up to a minute and 30 seconds at at time. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: This also adds an incredible realness to the show which is how the mermaids became so popular! Weeki Wachee Mermaid show is a unique, local tradition, a part of Florida's cultural heritage. Being a mermaid is a magical job. Sign up for the River Boat Cruise early. We were going to experience for ourselves the natural spectacular that amazes visitors since 1947. Weeki Wachee 60th Anniversary, performers in lycra mermaid fins. At the time, U.S. 19 was a small two-lane road. Effective May 27: All water park attractions will be open daily for the summer. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. The Mermaid Show is performed four times a day and there are two different shows: 1) Wonders of Weeki Wachee and 2) The Little Mermaid. In the mid-90s they introduced Mermaids of yesteryear, a popular standing-room only show performed once a month by former mermaids of Weeki Wachee - after all, as their motto goes: "Once a mermaid, always a mermaid." Weeki Wachee Springs is a Florida state park where you can still go back in time and catch the classic mermaid show. The park's first underground theater. The mermaids are swimming in a natural spring; the 500-seat theater is embedded in the side of the spring 16 feet below the surface. The theater is air conditioned and it felt DIVINE to sit and wait for 30 minutes. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Mermaid Gianna Mermaid Cassidy Mermaid Cassidy is a local to Weeki Wachee and wants to travel to Hawaii. If youre interested in the logisticsI flew into Tampa International Airport and spent four nights at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin (just north of Clearwater). A network of underground water channels that dates back to the Middle Ages. Submitted by Ken on Fri, 05/25/2007 - 2:48am. Many of them went by the wayside after Walt Disney World opened in the Orlando area in 1972. They had 24 of them, 12 lined up on one side of the sidewalk and 12 lined up on the other. Weeki Wachee in central west Florida was named by the Seminole Indians, and means "little spring" or "winding river." We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This Spanish Swim School's Got Your Tail, http://www.floridastateparks.org/weekiwachee/default.cfm, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0322_040322_TVmermaid.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeki_Wachee,_Florida, http://whenonearth.net/watch-real-live-mermaids-in-weeki-wachee-springs-florida/, https://britonthemove.com/mermaid-show-in-florida/. Those who wish to become a Weeki Wachee Springs mermaid have to be strong swimmers. The mermaids give the audience historical information(via video), and the technical aspect of the show. We met some real people at this fun place, and to quote my husband, one waitress prettier than the next. And when it was over, he said, Girls, that was beautiful, but that is not what I need. IT WAS CROWDED. WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS 6131 Commercial Way Spring Hill, Florida 34606 352-592-5656 By Mike Miller Updated February 9, 2023 Weeki Wachee Springs is one of those old Florida tourist attractions, like Marineland, that everybody wanted to visit in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. You cant get out of your tube in the river, but the portion of the river you float through is MUCH LESS crowded than the main springs. 2023 BygonelyPrivacy policyTerms of ServiceConact Us. The park draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year for kayaking, to see manatees, and, of course, the live mermaid shows. The park itself is home to more than 530 acres, and visitors are free to explore it on their own with a paddleboard or kayak rental. With lifeguards watching the waters, a giant water slide, and flume rides, it's perfect for the whole family after catching an early mermaid show. Mug | Weeki Wachee Mermaids | View full size. Theyve recently changed how they handle kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River and now you have to book through the state park. However, in those days, cars were few along U.S. 19. These 18 Magical Photos Of Florida's Live Mermaid City Will Leave You Speechless Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a must-see attraction for any Florida bucket list. The basin of the spring is 100 feet wide with limestone sides and there, where the mermaids swim, 16 to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a strong five miles an hour. We lined up for the 10AM Wonders of Weeki Wachee show and were pretty quickly let into the theater when it opened at 9:30. The park itself that the underwater theater that visitors when they go see the mermaid shows live is the only theater of its kind in the entire world," said John Athanason, a tourism marketing specialist for Floridas Adventure Coast. And share my account with your travel loving friends! This isnt Disney and there arent misters and shade. Fact: Weeki Wachee is home to the deepest known natural spring in North America, and the 'stage' is built a full 20 feet below the surface of the spring. Hey Friend, Before You Go.. We were going to experience for ourselves the natural spectacular that amazes visitors since 1947. At the time, U.S. 19 was a small two-lane road. Since 1947 - which is older than Disneyworld, for those who are counting - the Weeki Wachee mermaids have been entertaining fans from all over the world. Rhonda Nienhuis, the owner, brewed us a fresh cup of coffee and accompanied by one of her delicious sweet creations our High Tea habit was saved. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. A completely underground tour following the path of the most precious element: water. The water is clear and cool and theyve got plenty of fun built up around it (slides, a jumping platform, a lazy river) plus a River Boat Cruise or kayak rentals to explore the winding Weeki Wachee River. You can pack a full size cooler (no alcohol), but they also have full concessions on site. After every show, you can meet and get your picture taken with one of the mermaids. Please like & follow for more interesting content. Then they jumped into the spring to perform. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. We put a 45-minute synchronized swimming show for him, she says of the first show. Ashley Bobo of Nashville, Tennessee, sits in a fake mermaid tail in Weeki Wachee springs, Florida, July 25, 2007. You may think the mermaids are swimming in a tank, but in fact its the audience thats in a man-made structure. Mermaid Paisley loves to indulge in half-baked ice cream and play with her pet hedgehog. And I hope they will help you in some way and maybe even lift your spirits. Was a May Day Attack by Pilgrims a Practice Run for a Massacre? You knowfor research ; ), RELATED: Tarpon Springs: Floridas Greek Town, Everything You Need to Know About Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks. In a somewhat remote part of Florida, theres a beautiful natural spring where live mermaids have been performing an underwater show for visitors since 1947. Later this month, Weeki Wachee will be holding auditions for new mermaids. They have several TV screens set up and theres a full pre show where they show video clips from the Mermaid Show throughout the years, behind the scenes training for how to be a mermaid, an interview from a former mermaid about the time she performed for ELVIS, and also part of a Jimmy Buffet concert. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I am sure that yall remember my latest travel piece about Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney!? Once that problem was solved, the next was simply choreography. Set on 538 acres and home to the deepest naturally formed spring in North America, this state park is best known for its live Mermaid Shows, where half-fish, half-human performers swim and dance in an underwater theater built 20 feet below the springs surface. I wont give away too many spoilers (Greatest Showman fans will be so psyched! Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida has been the home to underwater performances, now known as mermaid shows, since it was opened by former US Navy fr. A visit to the springs is like spending a day at the swimming hole. As one can imagine, this makes performing somewhat challenging, but one would never know it from the ease of its mermaid's movements! One performer, Kylee Troche, who started swimming at Weeki Wachee at 16, has posed during her off hours at mermaid conventions as "Mermaid Kylee, the International Mermaid." (She does not. At 8:30 (30 minutes before opening), you cant imagine how long the line was. The mermaids are still the main attractions at the state park. [1] I love telling stories about my home state. Each day, 117 million gallons of water - a perfect 74-degrees Fahrenheit - flow from the spring and fill a 100-foot wide limestone basin. Required fields are marked *. McDonald recalls that the following week she and another girl on the synchronized team got together and drew stick figures of different poses to do underwater. Rhonda pointed us out to the Floridas Adventure Coast visitor center where we got to meet John Athanason personally as well as the two ladies that work there ( he was of great help when I was researching the area). The original anniversary observance was to be held on Oct. 13, 2022, but it was pushed back after Hurricane Ian ravaged the southwest Gulf Coast near the end of September. It was just wonderful.. Robyn Anderson, a former Weeki Wachee mermaid who now performs the dual role of town mayor and park general manager, says the continuing legal challenges amount to sabotage. Since opening its doors in 1947, Weeki Wachee has attracted thousands of roadside visitorsand aspiring mermaidsfrom all over the world. P.S. Whether youre just coming to Weeki Wachee for the Mermaid Show or youre wanting to make a full day of it, read on for my top tips for visiting the park: Get there early! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. All the other roads were dirt; there were no gas stations, no groceries, and no movie theaters. A postcard of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids in 1966 in front of the statue. Today, visitors can still witness the magic of the mermaids, take a river boat cruise and canoe or kayak on the Weeki Wachee River. It takes place inside of an actual water spring which automatically eliminates the need for any props or set design. When the girls heard a car coming, they ran to the road in their bathing suits to beckon drivers into the parking lot, just like sirens of ancient lore lured sailors to their sides. We were excited like children when the curtains finally rolled up. The mermaids, pictured here on a postcard, perform underwater acrobatics and dance. In 1946, Newton Perry, a former member of the U.S. Navy who trained Navy Frogmen to swim underwater in World War II, came upon Weeki Wachee and had an idea for a business. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. We probably waited in line for about 45 minutes (it seemed like they started letting people in the park before the 9AM opening) and it was the WORST part of the day. When we swam with manatees in Crystal River last winter, Montauks Chamber of Commerce office manager Karin Johnson had shared her childhood dream with me of longing to see the mermaids at Weeki Wachee. Pine Island Park is Hernando County's only public beach. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater. Weeki Wachee's mermaids hold a rich snippet of Florida's history. The mermaids have been swimming in these waters for over 60 years. In the 1840s when Florida was opened up to settlers a few brave and hardy families had come to take advantage of 160 acre plots and we were looking forward to taking photos of some of their still existing, beautifully restored, old homes and walking along their brick-paved, live oak tree-lined streets. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Subscribe to our newsletter and get the best historical content straight into your inbox. During the first half of the 20th century, decisions and discussions made within the walls of Chinsegut influenced national and world leaders and the impacts are still felt today www.chinseguthillretreat.com, Until next month from another interesting location! Kids 5 and under are free. Florida was once known for its roadside attractions such as Six-Gun Territory in Ocala, which featured shootouts at high noon on its dusty main drag. Discount code: WEEKI . Once Floridas most popular attraction (until the mouse moved into Orlando), the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs are one of the few remaining truly great old Florida roadside attractions. www.facebook.com/enchiladasbrooksville, Wed booked the day before tickets for a self-guided kayak tour through Weeki Fresh Water Adventures, so we had the time to stop for a nice breakfast at the famous Florida Cracker Kitchen in Brooksville. In its heyday, mermaids performed eight shows a day, and as many as half a million people traveled annually to Weeki Wachee to see the mermaids, including Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, and Esther Williams herself. On Jan. 12, 2023, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail. Weeki Wachee mermaids put on makeup before the 11 a.m. The Weeki Wachee River, which flows from the springs, runs 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, last visited in January 27, 2019 . Honestly, I couldve called it a day then (I came to see the Mermaid Show not to swim), but I wanted to check out the rest of the park. In fact, the auditorium in which visitors watch these clever underwater shows was originally less than half the size that it is today. I had read when the shows initially reopened during COVID that the capacity was limited so you had to sign up for all the days shows when you first got in the park and that you might only get into one of the later shows or not at all depending on demand.
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