Splash on over to the Mermaid Festival

Hannah Amor competes in the Mermaid Contest. Photo by Donna Ritchie

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club invites the community to put on their mermaid costumes and pirate garb and join in on the fun at the 4th annual Mermaid Festival tomorrow,

June 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Indian Beach. This community-wide event is free for members and their guests.

This year’s Mermaid Festival will feature a Cardboard Boat Race, pirate ship battle on the lake courtesy of the Yacht Club, shopping area with vendors, Mermaid Lounge offering drinks and adult beverages, food, kids zone, contests, Mermaid Grotto with photo opportunities with mermaids, opportunity drawings and a grand prize drawing.

The event will be emceed by local entertainer Aprile DeAnne.

ABC Events Entertainment will host a kids zone offering inflatables and other activities for kids. Unlimited use wristbands cost $5.

Vendors booths are still available. Single booths are $40, double booths are $80. One vendor will be awarded $50 for Best Dressed Booth. For booth reservations, contact Rose Marie Hand at 951-212-1946.

Enter the grand prize drawing for a chance to win an Aqua Lily Pad, kayak and three $100 cash prizes. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the festival.

The event times are as follows:

Photo by Donna Ritchie

Cardboard Boat Race: 11:30

The first place adult will be awarded $100. First place youth will be awarded $75. The Judges Choice and Best Dressed Boat winners will each receive $50. Last minute entries will be accepted for a $10 registration fee. Boats may only be constructed of cardboard and duct tape.

Best Dressed Little Pirate Contest: 12:15

Children under the age of 17 are invited to dress in their best pirate garb and compete for Best Dressed Pirate for a chance to win $25.

Pirate Ship Battle: 1 p.m.

Using squirt guns, pirates (Yacht Club members) will battle it out on the lake. Kids can join in on the fun by purchasing a squirt guns for $2.

Glamorous Mermaid Contest: 1:30 p.m.

This contest is for ages 17 and older. A $50 cash prize will be award to the most glamorous mermaid.

Best Dressed Little Mermaid Contest: 2 p.m.

Children under the age of 17 are invited to wear their best mermaid outfits to compete for Best Dressed Mermaid. A $25 cash prize will be awarded.

Knobby Knees Contest: 2:30 p.m.

The ever-popular Knobby Knees Contest is for ages 17 and older. A $50 cash prize will be awarded for the contestant who has the best knobby knees.

The Mermaid Grotto will be center stage, providing an opportunity for festival-goers to take photos with the Woman’s Club mermaids.

Due to limited parking, a complimentary shuttle service will provide pick up and drop off service along Continental Dr. A limited number of handicap spots will be available in the parking lot.

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club is a non-profit, non-partisan, philanthropic service organization that was founded in 1972. In 2017, the club donated $15,000 in scholarships and $16,000 to local charities. This year, the club gave away $21,000 in scholarships and $21,000 to local charities.

For more information about the Mermaid Festival, contact Jan May at 951-970-8333. For sponsorship information, contact Tammy Stone at 909-223-4999.