Robin Wendell/CC by 2.0 Long before Disney World became the staple of Florida 's tourism industry, there was Weeki Wachee, the City of Live Mermaids. If I was a mermaid -- or I wanted to meet some merpeople-- these are places I would go. It was a magical experience, recalls Buzby. In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nations most popular tourist stops. AND THEN THE CURTAIN GOES UP. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Movies like Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid were filmed in the spring. This charming, local, family-owned place is surrounded by lush, sprawling Florida landscape and a fun decorated, blooming garden. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. So the mermaids do not perform in a tank or an aquarium. 2007. 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. 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. It was like seeing Esther Williams, the mermaids were so graceful.. 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. The mermaids give the audience historical information (via video), and the technical aspect of the show. Now, after a full year of clos. The building provides a tangible link to many important eras in history including: the initial development of Florida during the pioneer years; the development of a Florida slave plantation and its transformation after the Civil War; the US labor movement including womens and childrens labor regulations; womens suffrage; early 1900 literature; the Russian Revolution; the Great Depression and the Civilian Conservation Corp; and the early years of University of South Florida (USF) development. See. While mermaids are only legends, these animals are very real, and entirely worth learning about during a visit to the state park. Flowing from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River winds its way 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Weeki Wachee mermaids put on makeup before the 11 a.m. If you'd like to save some money, small coolers are allowed to be brought into both parks. Long before Disney World became the staple of Floridas tourism industry, there was Weeki Wachee, the City of Live Mermaids. The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Chinsegut owner Raymond Robins, along with his wife Margaret, had the ears of four presidents and numerous political advisors as well as being the only US or Allied representative to have direct discussions with Nikolai Lenin during the Russian Revolution and the emergence of the Soviet regime. 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. This wasnt running when I visited and that was disappointing because it wouldve been a great way to see the river. WEEKI WACHEE Shut down for a year due to COVID-19, the mermaids are swimming again as the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park reopened this week . Weeki Wachee was named by the Seminole Indians. The Weeki Wachee River, which flows from the springs, runs 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The former mermaids motto is: Once a mermaid, always a mermaid.. We are unable to issue refunds or return tickets for any cancellations due to weather. . The City of Weeki Wachee incorporated in 1966, putting the tiny city of Weeki Wachee on maps and state road signs. Seating is first-come, first-served. Yep, MERMAIDS. Take shade! And we never will grow old, A childhood dream come true on the Gulf Coast is also an ode to roadside Americana and a love letter to Floridas natural beauty. A visit to the springs is like spending a day at the swimming hole. Add these Weeki Wachee Springs Attractions to Your Bucket List. 66 Weeki Wachee Mermaids Premium High Res Photos 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. The prices aren't too high and the quality is good. We had to show them a few things we could do in order to be on the team, and we all made it. Weeki Wachee Florida Mermaids Beauties Seahorse Vintage Unused - eBay Their iconic mermaids still perform in pure aquamarine water that flows from a first- magnitude spring; healthy and healing Thalassotherapy at its best! Celebrate Seventy-Five Years of Florida's Weeki Wachee Mermaids Photos: Weeki Wachee, through the years - WESH Weeki Wachee Mermaid show is a unique, local tradition, a part of Florida's cultural heritage. Perry was a former U.S. Navy veteran who, being familiar with the water and movement in it, came up with Weeki Wachee. Im not saying all of this to complain, but to give you a heads up. Weeki Wachee Springsthe deepest naturally formed spring in the United Stateswas first explored in 1946 by former Navy sailor Newton Perry. Ashley Bobo of Nashville, Tennessee, sits in a fake mermaid tail in Weeki Wachee springs, Florida, July 25, 2007. Courtesy 4 of 4 Weeki Wachee Kristy__Amanda___Cheyenne_Sep27_19_8715 See Mermaids (and more) at Weeki Wachee Springs Those who have seen the show have likely noticed the tubes that dangle down into the water tanks. Home of the mermaids still struggling - NBC News Our director liked the one [pose] so well he would have one girl and I, Mary Dwight Rose, her name was, do the pose at the end of every show after wed go back up to Weeki Wachee, she recalls. In 1982, Buccaneer Bay opened with waterslides and a white sand beach. Mermaid Paisley loves to indulge in half-baked ice cream and play with her pet hedgehog. Everybody had come ready for a day in the cool water. Weeki Wachee Springs opened 75 years ago in October of 1947. . Weeki Wachee Celebrates 75 Years Of Mermaids After several miles through protected wild-lands as we neared the Gulf of Mexico the river widened and paddling became a little more challenging near the takeout point at Rogers Park, which marked the end of our unforgettable adventure. Weeki Wachee still exists, though. Pine Island Park is Hernando County's only public beach. Inside the Waterproof Makeup Routine of a Weeki Wachee Mermaid But alsowe did not rush for a spot at Buccaneer Bay and set up camp before we got in line for the show. 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. "The former mermaids may have moved on in life, but the enchantment of the Weeki Wachee Spring calls them back time and again, like a dream that can . 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. We went straight thereTHE MERMAIDS WERE THE PRIORITY. The Weeki Wachee Mermaids Somewhere in the bowels of South Florida, there is a campground. The mermaids return as Weeki Wachee reopens to visitors - Tampa Bay Times "He envisioned beautiful women performing underwater ballet," said John Athanason, Weeki Wachee PR manager. "Perry happened to hear about us, and that's why he invited us up to put on a show," says McDonald. For anyone who wants a fully-immersive experience, a boat tour through the Florida hot springs is an absolute must-do. The performances include a rendition of 'The Little Mermaid.'. Please like & follow for more interesting content. Lydia Dodson was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid in the 1970s and more recently joined ranks of the Legendary Sirens. 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. Yes, I waited in line to meet Mermaid Ashley. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Submerged six feet below the waters surface, an 18-seat theater was built into the limestone so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the ancient spring. Weeki Wachee Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Weeki Wachee Springs - the underwater theater | Wondermondo 11 Famous Mermaids and their Creators | Mental Floss Mermaid Shows | Florida State Parks They are mermaids with day. Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest ", Courtesy of Dianne's daughter Debbie McDonald, "I always wanted to be like Esther Williams, says McDonald. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. Women performers show various stunts and performances by wearing fishtails and stylish outfits. More alligators and black bears lived in the area than humans. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Mermaids of Weeki Wachee, Weeki Wachee, Florida - RoadsideAmerica.com The statues are beautiful, she says. The mermaids have been swimming in these waters for over 60 years. Winter Haven had Cypress Gardens, known for water-ski shows and young women dressed in floral-colored southern belle costumes. 2023 Atlas Obscura. In celebration of 75 years of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and its mermaid shows, in January the park unveiled 28 mermaid statues that were hand-painted by juried artists. Mermaid Ashley What Mermaid Ashley enjoys most is hanging out with her animals. Chinsegut Hill is actually a retreat for special events, weddings, educational seminars and gatherings of fraternal and religious groups. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). In this campground there is a pool, and in the pool, mermaids dwell. Mermaid Cassidy is a local to Weeki Wachee and wants to travel to Hawaii. I am sure that yall remember my latest travel piece about Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney!?