A brief history of the San Marcos Mermaid Fest

Did you know that San Marcos was named the Mermaid Capital of Texas in 2021?

Each September, San Martians celebrate the aquatic legacy at the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest with a costumed parade, live music, 100+ local vendors, and food trucks. This year’s festival — on Sat., Sept. 24 in Downtown San Marcos — will include a parade from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., while the market will stay open until 8 p.m.

As seen by the many mermaid statues dotted throughout the city, San Marcos has been known for its merfolk for decades.

The opening of the Aquarena Springs theme park, where mermaid-esque “Aquamaids” who performed underwater ballet, synchronized swimming, and learned to breathe air through a hose, started the love of the mythical creatures in the 1950s. Though Aquarena Springs closed in 1996, mermaids have stayed a solid piece of the community.