It’s already time for the 3rd Annual SMTX Mermaid Splash that celebrates all things San Marcos with a focus on stewardship, preservation, local, arts, sustainability, and heritage. (Notice the words spell out SPLASH?) This is quickly becoming one of the more popular San Marcos Events.
This year the event runs from Sept. 8 through 22. Visit the Mermaid Society of Texas website for the full schedule.
What is the SMTX Mermaid Splash?
The San Marcos Mermaid Festival is a yearly fiesta filled with 15 days of events to celebrate arts, culture, heritage, and the precious resource of the San Marcos River and its guardianship.
Some of you probably wonder why a San Marcos event has a mermaid theme. Excellent question. The mermaid is the San Marcos River’s guardian and the champion of the arts. The symbol aims to inspire the spirit of unity and encourage collaboration to do good for the community.
San Marcos Mermaid Festival Highlights
Many events take place during the festival’s two-week period. These are the signature events you won’t want to miss!
Downtown Mermaid Promenade
If you can only attend one event, make it this one. Almost 100 entries appeared in the parade last year. The parade takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m.-Noon. The festivities begin with Austin Samba and Las Monas de San Antonio with their giant colorful mermaid puppets that will rock the streets with dance, movement, and joy.
The parade starts at the corner of CM Allen and Cheatham Street and ending at the San Marcos Main Park Plaza where the fun continues until 7 p.m. at the Mermaid Aqua Faire. This free event will have plenty of art, music, and food to keep your energy up for hours!
Mer-tini Shakedown Competition
Sixteen mixologists — aka cocktail masters — from various San Marcos’ restaurants and bars compete to create the best Mer-tini cocktail using gin or vodka. Judges will travel to each site and sip the mixologist’s entry to determine who goes to the Shakedown Finals at the Mermaid Society “Art” Ball.
The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The public gets to participate by picking “The People’s Choice.” Thus, you don’t have to be jealous of the judges. Everyone who is 21 or older can travel to all the locations to try the Mer-tini concoctions.
Mermaid Society Art Ball
This is where the judges crown the winner of the Mer-Tini Shakedown. The private gala features rooftop views, live music, dining, art performances, and glass-bottom boat rides. The event takes place on the evening of Sept. 21 from 7-11:30 p.m. at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment that’s located on Spring Lake.
For more information and the list of San Marcos events, see the San Marcos Mermaid Festival Splash Calendar and the Mermaid Society SMTX Facebook page.
