2025 Mermaid Promenade Registration
May 17, 2025
SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE FOR PARADE INFORMATION AND ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
For questions email to: paraderegistration@mermaidsocietysmtx.com
or call 512-825-2819
The 2025 Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest will mark the grand debut of our ARRRT initiative! Throughout the month of May—celebrated as MerMay internationally and Mermaid Month in San Marcos—we're rallying all San Marcans to embrace environmentally sustainable practices at home, school, work, and in their businesses. Share your eco-friendly efforts with us, and we'll spread the word to inspire others to follow suit. Join us in making a positive change for our community and our planet!
Are You Up for the Challenge?
We’re challenging all parade participants to build and decorate their parade entry “floats” featuring ARRRT as the inspiration! This includes your Mermaid flair, signage, banners, and anything else you can ARRRT up! This year awards and prizes will be awaiting the most creative designs. AND….. ARRRT festival hats will be a major feature of the Mermaid Festival, so start designing!
At Mermaid Society, we're all about promoting an ARRRTful lifestyle! A.R.R.R.T, which stands for ARTIVISM: REIMAGINE, RECYCLE, REPURPOSE FOR TEXAS, marks an exciting new chapter for us. This creative community initiative merges art, activism, and environmental stewardship to inspire positive change through creative expression.
Through these creative efforts, the Mermaid aims to highlight the numerous resources our community offers for recycling and repurposing items that might otherwise end up in landfills. We're thrilled to embark on this fun and imaginative journey of artivism, where the art of "reimagining, recycling, and repurposing" everyday items symbolizes our community's collective commitment to building a more sustainable future for Texas and beyond.
So, What Exactly is Artivism?
We love this interpretation by digital artist and activist, Nikkolas Smith: "I define artivism as using art as a tool to inspire people to make a positive change in the world. It’s like Nina Simone’s quote that it’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times, always pulling from what’s happening in the world and holding up a mirror to ourselves to say: this is what’s going on. It’s about trying to visually capture people’s attention to motivate them to fix what’s wrong."
Why ARRRT?
We firmly believe in the transformative power of art to bring about change and foster a deeper connection to our natural surroundings. As the official designated Mermaid Capital of Texas, we recognize our unique opportunity to play a part in inspiring action to make a difference in our community and beyond.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey! Through our youth eco-guardianship programming, Mermaid Festival events, and community outreach activities, we aim to inspire Texans of all ages to explore the endless possibilities of upcycling. Transforming discarded materials into something useful, beautiful, and meaningful is just one way ARRRT can inspire change.
Together, let's reimagine, recycle, and repurpose – inspiring each other and our next generation to live an ARRRTful life!
The Mermaid Promenade and Downtown Street Faire
We're thrilled to welcome back the one and only Super FAB Mermaid Emcee, @hannahrucker, KVUE Morning Show news correspondent! Hannah will once again highlight all the parade participants as they make their way through downtown, bringing her signature energy and enthusiasm to the festivities.
Viewing is available along the entire route of the parade. Get there early to grab the best seating options! The Downtown Mermaid Promenade is the centerpiece of the festival and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who gather to watch the procession of colorful and vibrant floats!
Before the parade even starts, early birds will be staking out the best viewing spots along the parade route in downtown San Marcos. The streets will be buzzing with excitement as local pubs and restaurants join in the fun, serving up delicious parade-watching specials created just for this grand event. You won't want to miss the contagious, carnivalesque music that signals the beginning of the joyous procession.
Once the parade wraps up, the Downtown Street Faire will come alive with over 140 booths lining the streets around the courthouse. You'll find talented artists from all over Texas, delicious food trucks, and FUN family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy!
Our LIVE MUSIC at the Downtown Street Faire will feature select R&B musicians who, while we can't reveal their names just yet, will definitely have you dancing in the streets!
And the Best Part?
Admission is completely free! This event is designed to be an all-inclusive community platform that inspires connection in celebration of our creative community and river culture.
The Mermaid Festival highlights the San Marcos River and leverages engagement for education and protection through various events and activities organized by community organizations, schools, businesses, and more. The symbol of the mermaid is meant to inspire the spirit of community, friendship, and river stewardship.
To pay by check, please complete the online entry form below and mail your check to:
Mermaid Society SMTX
P.O. Box 963
San Marcos, Texas 78667
Make check payable to Mermaid Society SMTX.
To make payment online, please choose level of category for participation. Once payment has been made submit your parade registration.