And when it was over, he said, Girls, that was beautiful, but that is not what I need. In 1946, Perry scouted out Weeki Wachee for his new business. 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. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 74-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. These cookies do not store any personal information. There were people around us who were getting sick from the heat and nobody was really prepared for it. Chinsegut Hill is actually a retreat for special events, weddings, educational seminars and gatherings of fraternal and religious groups. That basin - continuously refreshed from the bottomless spring below - feeds the Weeki Wachee River that winds 12 miles westward before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. But this weekend, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Hernando County will celebrate 75 years. Former mermaids Barbara Wynns, then 63, left, of Weeki Wachee and Bonnie Georgiadis, then 76, of Tarpon Springs were among the first inductees in the Weeki Wachee Springs Hall of Fame. . 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. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. 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. The prince prevails, proving that love conquers all.. History of the mermaid show. Guests will be turned away when the park is full. Mermaid Sam Mermaid Sam is an artist and can even play the ukulele. McDonald was on-hand for the statues unveiling. We put a 45-minute synchronized swimming show for him, she says of the first show. The two young ladies who checked us in assured us that we would definitely enjoy our journey out on these gorgeous turquoise waters and reminded us that the Weeki Wachee is a non-disposable river and alcohol prohibited. The Wonders of Weeki open 365 days a year! Former mermaids belong to a proud sorority, and some return to perform in special "Legendary Sirens" shows, such as those scheduled for Labor . You can kayak or swim in Florida Springs and see native Florida wildlife in many places. Courtesy 4 of 4 Weeki Wachee Kristy__Amanda___Cheyenne_Sep27_19_8715 The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. To mark seventy-five years of such memories, Weeki Wachee is throwing an anniversary party this week. The show also includes several musical numbers. Before I-75 traversed the Sunshine State from north to south, and before a mouse and wizards arrived in Orlando, a roadside attraction along U.S.-19 allured passers by with a different out-of-this-world experience: 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. Related: Tigertail: Florida's Most Beautifully Underrated Family Beach. 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. 464K views 6 years ago A Weeki Wachee mermaid has to descend about 30 feet through 'the tube' to begin each show. After many travels during a B.A. This wasnt running when I visited and that was disappointing because it wouldve been a great way to see the river. "He envisioned beautiful women performing underwater ballet," said John Athanason, Weeki Wachee PR manager. It was the same day that Kukla, Fran and Ollie first aired on that newfangled invention called television, and one day before Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We were going to experience for ourselves the natural spectacular that amazes visitors since 1947. References. Early Advertising Poster for Weeki Wachee Springs Those who have seen the show have likely noticed the tubes that dangle down into the water tanks. The Mermaid Shows are the most crucial part of the Weeki Wachee Springs. Required fields are marked *. The mermaids performed Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, and Peter Pan. Former Bouquet seller now making a go with blogging and graphic designing. In the 1960s, girls came from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the privilege of becoming a mermaid. Read on for a rundown of my trip to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park plus tips for planning your visit: On my most recent trip to Florida, I planned a bit of a hodge podge agenda to hit up a few places that have long been on my travel bucket list but that I never seem to get around to. ABC also developed themes for the underwater shows, with elaborate props, lifts, music, and storylines such as Underwater Circus, The Mermaids and the Pirates, and Underwater Follies. He taught them to drink Grapette, a non-carbonated beverage, eat bananas underwater and do aquatic ballets. While theres not a ton of stuff to do here, it very much feels like a little waterpark. The Wilderness River Cruise runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. See how Weeki Wachee has changed over time in the following pictures. And on October 13, 1947, the first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened. Introducing the Mermaid Tail Trail While mermaids are only legends, these animals are very real, and entirely worth learning about during a visit to the state park. As the prince struggles to save the Little Mermaids beautiful voice, a fierce battle ensues between him and the evil sea witch. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It was the most beautiful sight I think I ever saw. The part of the park where the shows are is kind of separate from the water park so I hadnt really seen any of the actual springs until we made our way over there. The spring had been used as a dumping site, so he cleared it out and experimented with using a breathing hose to explore its depths. It was just wonderful.. In 1956, the American Broadcast Co. (ABC) bought Weeki Wachee and built a new, 400-seat theater in which todays audiences still watch the mermaid shows. It turns out the shows were first come first serve. Do you have a thing that youve wanted to do since you were a kid? With the air hose, humans could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Perry was also an all-star swimmer and coach, so it was easy to bring his idea to fruition when searching for the perfect business venue. And when the mermaids recreated the adagio pose she created 75 years ago as they do in each performance, McDonalds face lit up. Our food was beyond delicious, creative, local and fresh and the service was the nicest you can get. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Women performers show various stunts and performances by wearing fishtails and stylish outfits. Flowing from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River winds its way 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The pose that McDonald and Rose created is known as the adagio, and the statue still stands outside the entrance of Weeki Wachee today. We were going to experience for ourselves the natural spectacular that amazes visitors since 1947. The attraction received worldwide attention. 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. They start by introducing themselves, and their absolute love and deep . Hey Friend, Before You Go.. Address: 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee FL 34606 Phone Number: 352-592-5656 WeekiWachee.com Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show . But when we went in (July 2021), they were back to operating normally. He just thought the pose was beautiful, and then I guess Newt Perry decided he liked the pose, too, and the next thing you know theyre making a statue of it.. It was a magical experience, recalls Buzby. Since opening its doors in 1947, Weeki. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater. 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. After the mermaid part of the morning was over, I felt pretty satisfied. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The geological backdrop is no less stunning than the synchronized song and dance; the theater sits above subterranean aquifers that pump over 170 million gallons of freshwater per day. All the other roads were dirt; there were no gas stations, no groceries and no movie theaters. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. Weeki Wachee is home to mermaid shows that dazzle and amaze its visitors, especially those who are enchanted with the idea of a real-life Ariel. At 82-years young, mermaid Vickie Smith is the oldest performing 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. Related: Why Neptune Memorial Reef Is So Much More Than An Ecosystem. She and other former mermaids from the 50s, 60s and 70s make up Weeki Wachee's Legendary Sirens. 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. Therefore perhaps today the best-known symbol of yesteryears Florida tourism is Weeki Wachee. 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. About two or three days after school started I saw a note from The Spa (an indoor saltwater pool in St. Pete) that said any girl that would like to become a synchronized swimmer to come down, McDonald tells Southern Living. The mermaids wore one-piece suits and were treated like royalty wherever they went in Florida. Rhonda, shes married to the local sheriff, told us that all her food is made in house, down to the sandwich bread. Susan B. Barnes is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience writing about food, travel and lifestyle. 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. 3247 & 3229 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607. To be honest, all we thought wed come for was to see the mermaids that roam in the crystal clear springs of Weeki Wachees State park, but we also got to discover other close-by historic and fun places that make Floridas Adventure Coast an interesting place to visit. Sadly, the spring was full of old rusted refrigerators and abandoned cars. It means little spring or winding river. The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. 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. . PLEASE NOTE: Spring and summer are busy seasons for Weeki Wachee Springs. Nostalgic Snapshots of Manchester in the 1990s, The Blizzard of 1978: Photos Show the Historic Storm That Slammed the Northeastern United States, People Living with a Normal Life with Mummies in Venzone, Italy in 1950, Fascinating Historical Photos Show Street Life of Victorian London in the 1870s, Karen Carpenter's Last Photo and the Tragic Consequences of Anorexia, Young Michelle Phillips: Gorgeous Photos Of Californian Dreamgirl From 1960s and 1970s. The park also has a history that precedes some of the world's biggest entertainment parks, showing no signs of stopping its maritime success anytime soon. Today, visitors can still witness the magic of the mermaids, take a river boat cruise and canoe or kayak on the Weeki Wachee River. We're going to create a trail with a map where people can go and see these beautiful works of art, and maybe discover pieces of Hernando County that it didn't know existed, Athanason said. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. For Kourtney Ellinghuysen, Weeki Wachee was her first mermaid job. Being a mermaid is serious business, she writes, but it has rewards. The mermaid brings an air hose and a lot of moxie to the chilly (72 degrees. Its quite a feat for a mermaid to stay in one place in such a current. You cant take your own inflatables, but you can take a noodle or life jacket for children. She swam in its deep blue for half a decade and, like many of her peers, unearthed something transformative below the waterline. You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to face with her prince! All sorts of people stopped to see the mermaids, even Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williams, and Arthur Godfrey came to Weeki Wachee. 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. What Mermaid Ashley enjoys most is hanging out with her animals. Please like & follow for more interesting content. Just be prepared for the heat. This image, by fashion photographer Toni Frissell, was published in Harper's Bazaar in December 1947. Mermaid Paisley loves to indulge in half-baked ice cream and play with her pet hedgehog. The mermaids, pictured here on a postcard, perform underwater acrobatics and dance. And share my account with your travel loving friends! At the time, U.S. 19 was a small two-lane road. RICHES 1980s-2000s: The Death of the Roadside Attraction ABC sold Weeki Wachee and Silver Springs to Florida Leisure Attractions, Inc. in 1984 for $25 million dollars ($63.4 million adjusted for inflation). McDonald was the co-creator of a certain pose that is depicted in "Adagio," one of the statues that can be seen in front of the park. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Weeki Wachee Florida Mermaids Beauties Seahorse Vintage Unused Chrome Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! The white sandy beach is shaded by palm trees and provides a number of shelters and pavilions. The mermaids took etiquette and ballet lessons. The park's first underground theater. First published in The Montauk Sun December Issue 2021. Newt knew that humans could survive underwater by breathing air pumped through a hose by a compressor. And that was the day! Florida Cracker Kitchen is a place to feed your soul and belly at the same time. www.weekiwachee.com, And as if our time on Floridas Adventure Coast wouldnt have been already precious enough we got to experience that evening a breathtaking sunset at Hernando Beach, on the tip of Pine Island. Before finding a home with TheTravel, her focus was indie publications and she has been published with Bolde, The Arts Fuse, The Silver Tongue, LI Pulse, Tattooed Heroine Magazine, and more. 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. We had to show them a few things we could do in order to be on the team, and we all made it. There is an admission fee that covers both the mermaid side and the water park side of the park. The mermaids give the audience historical information(via video), and the technical aspect of the show. Your email address will not be published. They also trained to hold their breath underwater for up to a minute and 30 seconds at at time. 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. However, there is only one place where you can see live mermaids swimming in those springs, often . 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. A childhood dream come true on the Gulf Coast is also an ode to roadside Americana and a love letter to Floridas natural beauty. Former mermaids Barbara Wynns, then 63, left, of Weeki Wachee and Bonnie Georgiadis, then 76, of Tarpon Springs were among the first inductees in the Weeki Wachee Springs Hall of Fame.