City of San Marcos kicks off Mermaid Month

Staff Reports

The City of San Marcos will host a Mermaid Month kickoff event Wednesday, September 1 celebrating the City’s recent designation as the Mermaid Capital of Texas. The event will be held at the San Marcos Rec Hall, 170 Charles Austin Drive, beginning at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

The event leads up to the 2021 Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest, which was proclaimed a signature celebration for the City of San Marcos by Mayor Jane Hughson on August 17. The festival includes an Aquamaid Scavenger Hunt, the Mermaid Promenade, and the Downtown Street Faire. Event information may be found online at mermaidsocietysmtx.com.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to take part in mermaid-themed events throughout the month of September. Ideas that celebrate the City’s arts, culture, heritage, and responsibility to protect natural resources include:

• Take a self-guided tour of the City’s mermaid sculptures, known as the Mermaid March. Created by local artists, each mermaid represents a different unique aspect of San Marcos and draws attention to the City’s history, natural beauty, and attractions.
• Learn about the San Marcos River’s ecosystem and look beneath the surface from a glass-bottom boat during a visit to the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
• Take a dive into the history of the San Marcos mermaid with an interactive presentation from Mermaid Maya.
• Enjoy dinner and drinks, the San Marcos way. From Mermaid Margaritas to SMTX River Water Daquiris, the City is full of restaurants to satisfy taste buds.

Ahead of Mermaid Month, the City created an identity piece that is available for free to individuals and businesses interested in promoting the Mermaid Capital of Texas designation. The image may be used on any material and may be accessed at www.visitsanmarcos.com/mermaidcapital.

For more information, contact the San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau at 512.393.5930.

About the Mermaid Capital of Texas Designation

The City of San Marcos was officially named the Mermaid Capital of Texas on May 24, 2021 when Governor Greg Abbott signed a resolution brought forward by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini and State Rep. Erin Zwiener during the 87^th Texas Legislative Session. As a symbol for San Marcos, the mermaid is a reminder of the responsibility to preserve resources in Central Texas through research, sustainable water management, and environmental stewardship. The Mermaid Capital of Texas designation remains in place until 2031.