Splash Splish

BY CARRIE McLAREN

Let the mermaid celebrations begin as Weeki Wachee Springs State Park marks its 75th anniversary in 2023. Located about an hour north of Tampa, in Spring Hill, the park and true natural wonder is known to be one of the deepest, naturally formed underwater caverns in the United States. With a name derived from the Seminole dialect meaning ‘little spring’ or ‘winding river,” the waters pouring from deep under Florida’s surface stays a constant 74 degrees year-round with an unceasing current flowing at five miles per hour.

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The springs have been a part of the Florida landscape for eons. The park and its world-famous mermaid show sprung to life some seven decades ago, the vision of a US Navy veteran who had an idea for a truly unique tourist attraction.

With experience training Navy Frogmen to swim underwater during World War II, Newton Perry scouted the area for his new business venture and began experimenting with underwater breathing hoses—as opposed to having an air tank strapped to one’s back. Eventually creating a method of breathing below the surface using oxygen supplied from air compressors, Perry began teaching local girls how to use the underwater air hoses for performing acrobatic, synchronized ballet routines. Shortly thereafter, Perry’s “mermaids” dove into their first show on October 13, 1947.

When the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) bought the springs and attraction in 1959, the current theater was built to accommodate an audience of up to 400 guests per show, making it one of the county’s most popular tourist stops. During much of the 1960s, more than 500,000 visitors each year came to see the mermaids—a commercial enterprise that grew to eight shows per day with 35 mermaids rotating performances. Celebrities who came to enjoy the show included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Pete Rose and others.

Today, in addition to the mermaid shows, the park is home to the Wilderness River Cruise and Buccaneer Bay park, featuring a lazy river, water slides and a sandy beach. To honor the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, more than two dozen pieces of public art, known as the Mermaid Tale Trail featuring 27 mermaid statues, have been placed throughout Hernando County.

Each replica statue is painted by a local artist, creating a oneof-a-kind work. The original statue was hand-sculpted and the face cast from an actual Weeki Wachee Mermaid. The sculptures are positioned into the Adagio pose, a signature mermaid move co-created by 92-year-old Dianne Wyatt McDonald, one of the first mermaids to perform on opening day in 1947.

The Mermaid Tale Trail was created in conjunction with the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, Brooksville Main Street, Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau and artists from the area. Plans are that the statues will remain permanently on display with more added to the trail each year.

While the mermaid shows take place throughout the year, Buccaneer Bay opens on March 11 for weekends only. At the end of May, the water park opens seven days a week welcoming guests to its water slides, kiddie pool area and the springs itself. Kayak and paddle board rentals are available. To explore the wilder parts of the park, guided river boat tours along the Weeki Wachee River are offered. Park rangers also offer a Ranger Experience numerous times a day sharing detailed history of the property, wildlife and surrounding areas.

The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Shows are subject to cancellation based on cold temperatures and inclement weather. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 and younger. u