Weeki Wachee Mermaids Perform

701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
www.flaquarium.org
Media Contact: Tom Wagner (813) 367-4036

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Florida Aquarium Hosts the World Famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids

September 16, 2009

Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2009) ? The world famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida, known for their grace and beauty for the past 63 years, will be performing at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, FL for 6 shows, September 25th - 27th , 2009. This event will mark the first performance by the Weeki Wachee Mermaids in the state of Florida outside their domain of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

Mermaids Marcy Terry, Cyndi Gay and Shannon Tooker will perform each day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. inside the Coral Reef Exhibit at The Florida Aquarium.

Special photo opportunities will be offered in conjunction with the mermaid?s visit.

The mermaid shows are free with paid admission to the aquarium.

A Brief History of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, also called The City of Live Mermaids is truly an original piece of Florida's rich heritage and one of the state's earliest roadside attractions.

The Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened on Oct. 13, 1947. The mermaids performed synchronized ballet moves 20 feet underwater while breathing through special air hoses hidden in the scenery.

In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee, located north of Tampa on Florida?s west coast, was one of the nation's most popular tourist stops. The attraction received worldwide acclaim and several movies were filmed at the spring.

About The Florida Aquarium

The Coral Reef exhibit, where the Weeki Wachee Mermaids will perform, is the largest exhibit at the Florida Aquarium. 500,000 gallons of 'natural' salt water occupy this magnificent tank featuring more than 100 species of fish including moray eels, grouper, tarpon, barracuda, angel fish and a green sea turtle. A total of 2,300 fish inhabit this one of kind tank.

The 'natural' salt water of Coral Reef is natural because the Florida Aquarium receives the salt water by barge every 3-4 months and is collected 100 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico in 10,000 feet of water.

The Coral Reef is a replica of an actual reef off the Dry Tortugas called Sherwood Forest.

Media Contacts:

John Athanason
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
(352) 592-5656 ext. 11 - office
(352) 427-3299 - cell

Tom Wagner
The Florida Aquarium
Public Relations Manager
(813) 367-4036
twagner@flaquarium.org

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