SAN MARCOS, Texas — San Marcos is making waves in the Texas Legislature!
The Central Texas city is ready to officially become the Mermaid Capital of Texas after a resolution passed both chambers and was signed by the governor on May 24.
SCR 9 designates San Marcos the official Mermaid Capital of Texas for a 10-year period beginning this year.
“For thousands of years, the mermaid has been one of the most striking symbols of humanity’s connection with the natural world,” the House resolution says. “Over the past century, this legendary figure has come to represent the city of San Marcos and its special relationship to the water resources of Central Texas.”
Mermaid statues started popping up around the city in 2018, recalling the Aquamaids show that started in the 1950s and ended in the '90s at Aquarena Springs. It included Ralph, the pig, who is memorialized in one of the city’s statues.
“The mermaid symbol is our connection to our past with Aquarena Springs and the Aquamaids,” Mermaid Society SMTX founder July Moreno told KVUE in 2019, referring to the characters that performed at the theme park. “And the new transformation of what was once seen as entertainment with the Aquamaids is now seen as a revival of the mermaid for environmental protection of our San Marcos River.”
San Marcos leaders hope getting the official designation will make the city more of a tourist destination.
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