Hundreds of mermaids, pirates, and sea-lovers meet for largest gathering of merpeople
Despite the dozens of colourful tails, dazzling bejewelled makeup, and nefarious-looking pirates, the merpeople who gathered at the beaches of Lake Huron last month were up to no fishy business – instead, they were united in their sea-themed costumes to bring awareness to a clean-water project in Oscoda, Michigan, USA.
As part of the Pirates and Mermaids Festival on 1 August, organizers from the Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water (USA) wanted to create a fun-loving, yet informative, experience for locals living near Lake Huron.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
So they invited everyone to show up at Oscoda Beach Park dressed as their favourite sea characters, for a chance to win the Guinness World Records title for the largest gathering of people dressed as merpeople.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
Hundreds of residents turned up in their best mermaid, pirate, and sea-creature costumes, eager to take part in all the fin-tastic events. But behind the celebration was a larger purpose – to clean up the polluted water that is vital for so many people and wildlife in the area.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
In 2010, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals” were discovered in the groundwater and water bodies in Oscoda. The nearby Wurtsmith Air Force Base was using firefighting foam that contaminated local water supplies, rendering wildlife inedible for consumption and creating toxic foam atop the waves of one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
PFAS are man-made chemicals found in non-stick cookware, adhesives, firefighting materials, and more. These insidious contaminants are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment, and they can cause a variety of health problems if not remediated from water sources – including altered metabolisms, the reduced ability to fight infections, and increased risk of some cancers.
In 2017, concerned residents created the grassroots campaign Need Our Water (NOW), as part of the Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water, in an effort to raise awareness and cleanup funds for the health and safety issue.
Their aim is to be a “reliable resource and catalyst for education and communication, while advocating for long-term health and environmental welfare plans on behalf of those affected by the water contamination.”
And the result of their hard work is a series of events like the Pirates and Mermaids Festival, which intend to celebrate their local environment while spreading awareness about these “forever chemicals” and raising money for PFAS research and remediation.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
As it turns out, the community shows up for you when you show up for the community – especially when you encourage them to dress as their favourite sea characters!
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
The two-day event was organized by Elyssa Steward, a mermaid performer, Miss Mermaid of Michigan winner, and OCCW board member, who invited “influencers” of the merpeople community to attend.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
Many of them took to water tanks to show off their impressive swimming skills (and waterproof makeup!), while other performers like the unicycling pirate, Tommy Tortuga, and star of the Netflix docuseries Merpeople, Blixsunami, entertained the crowds.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
On the first day of the festival, Guinness World Records Adjudicator Chloe McCarthy was present to check-in attendees and make sure everybody was properly dressed in costume – importantly, mermaids had to wear ankle-length skirts or tails, NOT pants, but luckily volunteers were passing out extra tails to make sure everybody fit the theme.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
And by the time everyone was accounted for, there were 500 people on the beach dressed as merpeople – earning a new world record for the Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water, who were emotional as they claimed their certificate.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
“There were all walks of life on that beach. The varsity football players from 30 years ago all came and brought their granddaughters and all had merman tails on,” said Elyssa to WCMU. “Seeing some of the legionnaires there, from the school, from my water aerobics class. It was just so magical.”
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
And even better, the inspiring moment turned into an unforgettable memory for Elyssa, who was proposed to by her fiance right before she was awarded the certificate by the Adjudicator! The crowd of mermaids vigorously cheered and clapped their fins for the happy couple, who are excited to begin their lives together on the shores of Lake Huron.
Elyssa and her fiance recreating their proposal! Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
Yet despite the celebratory environment, the organization was still focused on how they could turn this positive energy into a productive conversation with their community about forever chemicals.
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
“Our festival is not just about fun and entertainment; it's about raising awareness and acting against Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Great Lakes,” Elyssa told Guinness World Records.
“This record-breaking event will draw attention to the critical issue of PFAS contamination and help us take a significant step toward a cleaner and healthier environment.”
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
And many others agreed – including Adjudicator Chloe, who said: “As a Northern Michigan resident, I am thrilled I see a collective effort to support our beloved Great Lakes and waterways. The merpeople brought smiles, glitter, and so much enthusiasm as they splish-splashed into history!”
Photo Credit: Zacha Evetts
Congratulations to Elyssa, the Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water, and all the merpeople who turned up at the Pirates and Mermaids Festival – you’re all o-fish-ially amazing!