Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. But where do the mermaids come from?
A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue.
According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28.
Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit.
The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. The mermaids swim in the depths of the spring, while the audience watches from a 500-seat theater 16 feet below the water's surface.
Visitors can watch the mermaids perform every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the month of January.
According to the park's announcement, the mermaid auditions will include a swim endurance test and an underwater audition. The process may take up to two hours. Mermaids will receive a starting salary of $15 per hour.
Applicants must turn in a resume and a state application in advance, and must be at least 18 years old. Applications and resumes should be sent to Kelley.Parker@floridadep.gov.
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— Mermaids group shot-Florida State Archives 20th century (003).jpg
State Archives of Florida / Courtesy
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— Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Spring 1969-Florida State Archives (002).jpg
A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1969.
State Archives of Florida / Courtesy
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— Mermaid at Weeki Wachee postcard-State Archives 1949 (003).jpg
A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1949.
State Archives of Florida / Courtesy
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— Weeki Wachee Mermaid_Kiyomi_at_Weeki_Wachee_Springs_State_Park_SPRRswGr1K8t_A9quDK2WMs18q0ABlZBh_rgb_l.jpg
On Jan. 12, 2023, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail.
Courtesy
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— Weeki Wachee Kelley_Jun22_17_2814_edited
On Jan. 12, 2023, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail.
Andrew Brusso / Courtesy
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— Weeki Wachee mermaid
One of the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The state park's mermaids performed their first show back in 1947 and have been one of the more Florida roadside attractions since then.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter / Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter
