What’s that? You’ve got a weird, campy roadside attraction? Well, I want to see it. Weird, campy attractions are my jam.
When I was a kid my parents took us to Florida most summers. One summer we visited Weeki Wachee Springs and I’ve been in love ever since. Weeki Wachee is a natural spring with the clearest water I’ve ever seen. The water is a cool 74 degrees year round. You can swim in the springs, but the best part of the park is the mermaids! Real, live mermaids!
The park was opened in 1947 by a man named Newton Perry. He was a former Navy Seal. He built an underwater theatre at the springs, then taught beautiful women how to swim with air hoses and perform underwater ballet. The park really took off when ABC purchased it in 1959. In the 1960s, girls came from all over the world to try out for the privilege of becoming a mermaid. Back then the mermaids performed eight shows a day to sold out crowds! (Read more about the history of Weeki Wachee here.)
The crowds aren’t as big now, but the mermaid show is still swinging. It’s really a site to see and if you’re anywhere near central Florida it’s worth a detour.
The show we watched was The Little Mermaid and I felt like I was 10 years old again. Learning to be a mermaid is my new life goal.
Transformation complete!
So.Much.Fun.
Have you ever heard of Weeki Wachee? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie