The Conch Horn Sounds at the Mermaid Parade

Even on the darkest of days one can find amusement and a smile in Matlacha Island,  Florida, USA.

I have found little amusements around the world. In Portland, Oregon, “Voodoo Donut” contributes to “America’s Capital of Weird” and in Panhans, Lower Austria, “Nude in the Sauna” creates a totally unexpected surprise.

Recently, I have written about Coconut Pete and the Turtle Races which also provides a lot of laughs on Saturday evenings at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha, Florida.

Yesterday, I ventured to Bert’s to once more watch the turtle races only to find they had been cancelled because across the street the “Parade of Mermaids” was taking place.

This story is about the fun, annual costume contest featuring contestants as well as onlookers in Matlacha.

Sponsored by the non-profit “Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW),” the Conch Horn sounded at 6:00 PM (more or less) to remind people through a skit that CROW began when a Pelican dropped dead from the sky and to announce the start of the costume judging.

A Mermaid Queen was selected to reign for the year. And the costumed contestants all paraded to the top of Matlacha’s only bridge.

Mermaid costumes were found everywhere as well as other nautical themed costumes like those in the photos below.

Music and food were in abundance and the pictured non contestant mermaid reclined in review of the proceedings and drew the attention of many!

When I arrived at Bert’s for the turtle races, Henry, the guy who administers the races, said that I should get across the street as the conch horn sounds to see the “hotties dressed as mermaids” and the onlookers.

As pictured, it was another fun evening in Matlacha!

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.