Mermaids to Make a Splash in San Marcos Again
By Clay DeStefano Mermaids, once a common sight in San Marcos thanks to the wildly popular Aquarena Springs tourist destination , are about to make a big splash in San Marcos again. Mermaid Society SMTX is the brain child of San Marcos native July Moreno, who along with long-term San Marcos resident Clay DeStefano, have a shared vision to bring mermaids back to the city. Mermaid Society SMTX is an ever growing “like-spirited” alliance of individuals, businesses and organizations committed to furthering the arts, environmental concerns, local economic growth, heritage, and creative spirit of San Marcos. The Society intentionally works at a local level to co-create sustainable, shared wellbeing. This unique cooperative effort features a mix of self-sustaining partnerships, private and public investment and volunteerism. The Society fosters collaborative activity and continuous dialogue throughout the year and provides the platform for creative synergy among participants. Moreno and DeStefano have already begun mapping out and implementing a variety of efforts to help build community and create an annual showcase for arts, music and the river. “At its core, the Mermaid movement is about building a thriving, local community,” says DeStefano. “We believe the multi-facetted platform and diverse mix of people and interests will only help enhance the momentum of existing, like-minded, but independent efforts in our community.” The centerpiece of the Mermaid Society’s vision in its inaugural year is Mermaid Week SMTX. Residents and visitors alike can look forward to a festive and collaborative cultural arts platform to expand awareness of our city’s greatest natural resource – the San Marcos River. This Texas original will highlight our city’s unique river culture and serve as a catalyst to boost economic opportunity citywide. Through this annual week-long celebration, a series of activities will help to expand community engagement, increase environmental awareness, stimulate tourism and more clearly define our identity as a diverse, artistic and progressive city. Three primary events will make up the inaugural event scheduled for September 16th and 17th this year, which will include: • The Mermaid Society Ball • The Downtown Mermaid Parade • The Mermaid Splash “The mermaids of my childhood, helped inform my creative sense, said Moreno. “We’re thrilled that these new efforts will help to inspire creativity and spark new magic for imagination and entrepreneurialism among the children of San Marcos today.” Moreno and DeStefano have been active volunteers in the San Marcos community for a number of years. Most recently, each has individually help drive a number of newer successes in elevating the arts in San Marcos. Mermaid Society SMTX officially kicks off later this week with a reception, including a cross section of individuals from the environmental, business and arts communities along with representatives from the City of San Marcos and Texas State University. For more information about Mermaid Society SMTX or to get involved in the efforts, visit www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com .
