Contact Us

Contact: July Holbrook

Phone: 512-825-2819
Email: july@mermaidsocietysmtx.com

Mermaid Promenade begins at 10:00 - Noon in downtown San Marcos.

Aqua Blues Music and Art Fest begins at noon-7:00 p.m. located at San Marcos Plaza Park -206 N. CM Allen.

The Countdown Starts NOW!

The 8th Annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest Makes Waves on May 17th with A.R.R.R.T.!

San Marcos, TX – Get ready to dive into the most magical, meaningful, and eco-celebratory time of the year! The 8th Annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest splashes into San Marcos this May 2025, marking a decade of river love and community celebration with the 10th Anniversary of the Mermaid Society of Texas!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17, 2025—a truly special day that aligns with National Endangered Species Day, National River Clean-Up Day, and National Recycling Day. And it all leads up to a day-long FREE, family-friendly celebration featuring two cornerstone events: the Mermaid Promenade and the newly rebranded Aqua Blues Music & Art Fest at Plaza Park.

Our River. Our Responsibility.

This year, the festival has moved from September to May—right at the start of river season—calling attention to our community’s vital role in protecting the San Marcos River. Whether you’re floating the river or marching in the Promenade, your presence is a pledge to keep our sacred waters clean, cherished, and thriving.

Make Your A.R.R.R.T. Statement!

A.R.R.R.T. stands for:
Artivism: Reuse, Recycle, Reimagine for Texas

At the heart of this year’s festivities is an exciting eco-challenge to turn waste into wearable art, float décor, and fabulous festival hats! Parade-goers are invited to participate in a bold, sustainable fashion revolution with:

• Trash-Fashion: Create wearable art from recycled or repurposed materials. Mermaids encouraged—but creativity reigns!

• ARRRT Showcase: Feature your design at the Aqua Blues Music & Art Fest for all to see and celebrate.

• ARRRT Parade Floats: All Promenade entries are invited to compete for prizes for the most creative, upcycled float.

• Debut of A.R.R.R.T. Festival Hats: Think sculpture meets sustainability. The bigger, bolder, and greener, the better!

• ARRRT Zone at Plaza Park: An interactive area filled with eco-art play and imaginative fun for all ages.

Promenade Grandstand: Hannah Rucker Returns!

Beloved KVUE journalist Hannah Rucker returns as Emcee, bringing her vibrant energy and love for San Marcos back to the Promenade stage. She’ll be joined by KZSM Community Radio, amplifying the voices, music, and spirit of our amazing river city.

Aqua Blues Music & Art Fest – Noon to 7:00 PM

Following the Promenade, the celebration continues at Plaza Park with a full-blown riverside festival:

• 100+ Artisan Vendors

• Live Music All Day

• Nonprofit & Business Booths

• Food Trucks & Kid Activities

• Eco-Art Installations

Music Lineup Highlights

Guy Forsyth – Iconic bluesman and Austin legend brings his gritty, soulful sound to headline the evening.

Ace Pepper Group – Classic rock and blues from the heart, featuring one of Texas’ finest guitar slingers.

Wendy Colonna – Soulful storyteller with an ethereal voice and deep roots in community and creativity.

More performers to be announced soon!

Celebrate With Purpose

Bring your swimsuits, your picnic blankets, and your river love. Lounge by the San Marcos River, splash in spring-fed waters, and enjoy a day filled with creativity, community, and conservation.

This festival is more than a party—it’s a pledge. A chance to teach our children what it means to protect our planet. A moment to lead by example and celebrate sustainability in style.

Let’s ARRRT it UP, San Marcos!
Let’s kick off the summer with a splash of joy and a wave of purpose in the Mermaid Capital of Texas.

Stay connected and count down with us:
Facebook & Instagram @mermaidsocietysmtx
🌐 www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com

Join us for the Mermaid Society’s Inaugural 2025 Earth Stewardship Community Fair – The Ripple Effect: Small Actions, Big Impact! 

FREE & Family-Friendly! 

Celebrate Earth Month and kick off the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest with a day dedicated to protecting our natural environment and our beloved San Marcos River! Enjoy interactive exhibits, eco-friendly activities, and community connections that inspire action.

Exciting Eco-Adventure Ahead!

Monarch Butterflies & the Mayoral Monarch Pledge: Learn about the Monarch Butterfly and the City of San Marcos Mayoral Monarch Pledge! Get the tips you need to grow your very own Monarch Butterfly Garden from the passionate experts at the city’s Discovery Center —and take home milkweed seeds to get started! Eco-Superhero Mermaid Maya Monarch will make her debut, and she can’t wait to meet you! The Sunflower & The Mermaid Society

The Sunflower and Mermaid Society: Be inspired by the radiant Sunflower—the official flower of the Mermaid Society! Discover the rich symbolism, cultural history and ecological benefits.

Meet Mermaid Girasol, our sunflower-loving Eco-Superhero, and snap a selfie with her! Speak with local experts to learn how to plant, nurture, and care for your own sunflowers at home.

Before you go, take home a packet of seeds and start growing your own garden of sunshine—honoring nature, community, and the spirit of stewardship. Rain Gardens & Eco-Impact: Discover why rain gardens are essential for the environment and how to build your own! Ecosystem Regeneration Artisans will share everything you need to know to get started!

A.R.R.R.T. – Artivism: Reuse, Recycle, Reimagine for Texas: Join us for the exciting debut of our new initiative. Prepare for the Mermaid Parade scheduled for May 17th by creating your personalized ARRRT Hat/Crown or ARRRT accessories to wear during the parade. Basic materials will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own materials to personalize their ARRRT fashion! Other projects include making a terrarium from recycled plastic bottles to plant your milkweed and sunflower seeds and take home a ready-made garden starter or make your own river litter tote bag out of a t-shirt.  T-shirts will be provided but participants can bring their own if they wish. Read more about ARRRT and its purpose - ARRRT Programming — Mermaid Society SMTX - HQ'D in San Marcos

Bring a Toy, Take a Toy! This is a wonderful opportunity to donate your children’s gently used toys and games and discover something new and exciting in return. By participating in this community sharing event, we embrace the values of reuse and recycling, helping to extend the life of these items, reduce landfill waste, and care for our environment. We’re proud to partner with Teacher Reuse, an organization dedicated to providing free teaching supplies to educators across Central Texas. During the event, Teacher Reuse will be on-site to raise awareness about their impactful program. In collaboration with the Mermaid Society of Texas, Teacher Reuse will serve as a central hub for collecting art supplies in support of creative education in schools and in support of our ARRRT Programming. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration.

Siren Duty: Would you like to help protect our precious river this summer? Learn how you can join a river clean-up with local community eco-stewardship groups or be a land mermaid! Ask about our Siren Duty program starting Memorial weekend and how you can make a big SPLASH in making a difference!

Endangered Species Mascots: Be the first to see San Marcos' first-ever endangered species mascots: Sadie SMTX Salamander, Cool Sammy Texas Salamander, and Wendy "Tex" Wild Rice. The final artwork will be available for viewing! Learn how you can support the creation of these mascots.

Eco-Superheroes Program: Get a sneak peek at our Eco-Superheroes program, created exclusively for Mermaid Society's Youth Eco-Guardianship Education program (starting this fall)

Plus, meet Eco-Superhero Aquifer Man on his debut!  Learn about his role and superpower in helping protect our groundwater! Learn about all of Mermaid Society Eco-Superheroes and the important role each of the fourteen eco-warriors play in protecting our planet.

Volunteer Opportunities: Learn how you can help support our eco-initiatives programming and our annual Mermaid Festival planning. 

And door prizes provided by Tanger Outlet.