Splash over to Mermaid Festival

BY

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club will host the 5th annual Mermaid Festival tomorrow, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Indian Beach.

This year’s event features a Kids Dance Party, Cardboard Boat Challenge, Pirate Ship Battle on the lake, contests, food, more than 25 vendors, Kids Zone, Mermaid Grotto, Mermaid Lounge offering adult beverages, Pirate Cove, raffles and a grand prize drawing for a chance to win an Aqua Lily Pad, an eight-person Swan Island, an inflatable water bull, a pontoon cocktail dinner cruise for up to eight people and cash prizes.

Dance Party

The Mermaid Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. with a Kids Dance Party in front of the stage where there will be giveaways and visits from the little mermaid and other surprise guests. The Kids Dance Party is sponsored by Royal Bash Event Planning.

Kids Zone

The Kids Zone offers all-day fun with the purchase of a $5 wristband. Wristbands can be purchased at the CLWC booth located at the steps. The Kids Zone is sponsored by ABC Bounce.

Food Tent

The food tent offers street tacos, pizza, hot dogs and water. The purchase of food requires tickets. Tickets will be available at the CLWC booth located at the steps. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Mermaid Lounge

Beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and water will be available at the Mermaid Lounge. The purchase of alcoholic beverages requires a picture ID and wristband. The purchase of beverages requires tickets. Tickets will be available at the CLWC booth. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Vendors

This year’s Mermaid Festival features more than 25 vendors.

Pirate Cove

The Pepe’s Pirate Cove is new this year and features pirates, photo opportunities, activities and giveaways, sponsored by Pepe’s Restaurant and Cantina.

Mermaid Grotto

The Mermaid Grotto is always center stage at the festival, proving opportunities for visits and photos with mermaids. King Neptune will also be featured in the Mermaid Grotto this year.

Cardboard Boat Challenge

The ever-popular Cardboard Boat Challenge will take place at 11:30 a.m. A $100 prize will be awarded to the first place adult finisher (age 16 and older). The first place youth finisher (under the age of 16) will receive $75. A $50 prize will be awarded to the winners of the Judges’ Choice and Best-Dressed Vessel. Check-in time on the day of the race is between 9 and 10 a.m. Participants must attend a pre-race meeting at 11 a.m. at the judges’ table. The registration form and rules are posted on the Woman’s Club website at canyonlakewomansclub.com. The Cardboard Boat Challenge is sponsored by Focus Financial, McKee Plumbing and Canyon Lake Hair Design.

King Neptune

Have your photo taken with King Neptune and the Little Mermaid and listen to the stories from the Little Mermaid at 12 p.m. in the Grotto. The Grotto is sponsored by Team Stites Realty and Platinum Plumbing. Neptune is sponsored by Caregivers Senior Care and Carmel and Joe Lemke.

Little Pirate Contest

The Little Pirate Costume Contest will take place at 12:30 p.m. on the stage. The contest is open to boys and girls ages 15 and younger. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners. All participants will receive a small prize for entering. The contest is sponsored by The DiMond Group Real Estate and OutKast Printing.

Pirate Ship Battle

Don’t miss the Pirate Ship Battle on the lake at 1 p.m., featuring Captain Jimmy the Peg Lange and Captain Black Hearted Mickey. Cheer on your favorite ship. This event is sponsored by the Super Zinggs Realtors and the Canyon Lake Yacht Club.

Glamorous Mermaid Contest

The Most Glamorous Mermaid Costume Contest will take place on stage at 1:30 p.m. The contest is open to ladies 16 years of age and older. There will be a $50 first place prize and other giveaways. The contest is sponsored by Bombshells and the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Little Mermaid Contest

The Little Mermaid/Man Costume Contest will be held on the stage at 2 p.m. The contest is open to boys and girls ages 15 years old and younger. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners. Every child will receive a small prize for participating. The contest is sponsored by The DiMond Group Real Estate and Cheryl Maxwell Avon Representative.

Opportunity Drawing

The opportunity drawing features prizes donated by each vendor.

Knobbly Knees Contest

The Knobbly Knees Contest will be held on stage at 3 p.m. The contest is open to all men ages 16 and older. Extra points will be given to those in pirate garb. A $50 prize will be awarded to the winner. The contest is sponsored by the Femister family and The Inspired Hippie.

Grand Prize Drawing

The grand prize drawing will take place on stage immediately following the Knobbly Knees Contest. The drawing features an Aqua Lily Pad, an eight-person Swan Island, an inflatable water bull, a pontoon cocktail dinner cruise for up to eight people and cash prizes.

Tickets cost $5 each and winners do not need to be present to win. The drawing will take place on the stage at 3:15 p.m. Tickets may be purchased (cash only) until the start of the drawing. The drawing is sponsored by Brian and Donna Cannon of Aqua Lily Pad and the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club.

Parking

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

Schedule of Events

The schedule of events is as follows:

11 a.m: Kids Dance Party

11:30 a.m: Cardboard Boat Challenge

12 p.m: King Neptune in the Grotto

12:30 p.m: Little Pirate Costume Contest

1 p.m: Pirate Ship Battle

1:30 p.m: Most Glamorous Mermaid Costume Contest

2 p.m: Little Mermaid/Man Costume Contest

2:30: Opportunity Drawing

3 p.m: Knobbly Knees Contest

3:15 p.m: Opportunity Drawing

Founded in 1972, the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club is a non-profit, non-partisan, philanthropic service organization that raises funds throughout the year to donate to local organizations and to Canyon Lake girls in the form of student scholarships. In June, the Woman’s Club donated $42,000.