Teaching Ocean Ecology
The International Mermaid Museum is dedicated to teaching ocean ecology from seashore to
sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology unifying oceanic cultures.
Three quarters of the world is covered with water. Yet the undersea experience is largely unavailable for most to explore. This exhibition offers unique insights into life between the seashore and the sea floor.
Ocean ecology wrapped in the mythology of mermaids creates a vivid and inviting learning opportunity for all ages and abilities.
2025 Mermaid Festival Expands
The incredibly popular annual Mermaid Festival is expanding! In 2025, the event will beckon to visitors every weekend in April. As always, this fin-tastic, free and family-friendly event is held at Westport Winery Garden Resort, home of the International Mermaid Museum. Even museum admission is free during the festival when each Saturday and Sunday (April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27) will boast a fleet of world-class entertainers along with talented local artists and fresh tempting treat purveyors.
The festival sparkles with a series of special attractions for visitors of all ages during this celebration of the sea. In addition to the museum’s enchanting educational exhibits, everyone will enjoy meeting a school of mermaids from around the region along with other mythical creatures throughout the museum, gardens, and tents.
The Northwest’s most famous mermaid, Una, will be performing underwater in her tank each weekend from 11am to noon, 1pm to 2pm, and 3pm to 4pm. Una is the founder of the Portland Mermaid Parade and leader of the Portland Mermaid Cove. Her cove will offer story telling and mermaid crafts from their magical bay throughout the festival.
Siren Circe will preside on the mermaid throne in the museum daily from 11am to 4pm. Many visitors in the past have met Circe at the oyster shucking exhibit where--with her cohort Pirate Cliff--pearls are found abound. Circe is a founding member of the Mystic Menagerie.
Vertical Axis performers Nick Perry and Amanda Thornton will electrify the sky at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm daily. Theirs is a combination of music and dance while suspended from a 20-foot tower. Between their exciting shows, you can meet Nick and Amanda as they help you navigate the festival.
All ages will want to exchange greetings with the Pacific Northwest Unicorns and their handler Crystal, daily from 11am to 4pm. Her unicorns, Sky and Blue, are truly enchanting and eager to have their photos taken with their fans.
Rachel the Sailing Siren will thrill guests with fire dancing at noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.Rachel Novak is a freediving instructor, professional mermaid, and fire entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was the 2016 Fire Entertainer of the Year. She is a member of the US National Freediving Team and was an athlete on American Ninja Warrior. She is currently a safety diver for the Cirque de Soleil show “O.”
Acclaimed young adult author and mermaid Brianna Tibbets will sign and sell her book, Head Over Tails, on three weekends from 11am to 4pm. Her book is “a sweet mermaid-meets-human romance set within the lovely vistas of Hawaii.” She will also autograph her book The Knight In Battered Armor. This story “shows children of all ages the importance of doing what is right no matter what and not being afraid to protect what is most important.”
Author Rebecca Enzor will be signing her latest book mer-culture fiction, See the Depths on April 5 and 6. Rebecca is the author of Speak the Ocean. She will be signing and selling both books during the festival.
Siren Cerulia and Pirate Athena of The Mystik Menagerie have fun and interactive rock and pearl jewelry. This includes guests choosing “Mystik Oysters” containing colored pearls. They also have custom airbrush sweaters to design and purchase. A mermaid throne allows attendees to take pictures with the Mystik mermaid.
As part of the festival, the museum will host a costume contest on April 20 (Easter Sunday) at 1pm. All visitors are invited to flash their finest costumes whether they are mermaids, pirates, other mythical creatures, or Easter bunnies, with adult and children’s categories in each. Every contestant will receive a magic Easter egg. Winners of each category win a pirate chest filled with ocean treasures.
In many arts and crafts tents in the 15-acre display garden guests can meet the creators in person as they shop woodworking, jewelry, knotwork, acrylic and watercolor paintings, jewelry, soaps, and gifts. Mixed media artists Breeyn and Travis will offer fantastical face painting and hilarious balloon animals. LaNae weaves shimmering mermaid hair as she “spreads joy one sparkle at a time!” For more glistening fun visitors will love Westport Bubble Works.
In addition to Westport Winery’s award-winning Sea Glass Grill, festival attendees can enjoy a variety of delicious delicacies including Smitty’s Mini Donuts, Habitat for Humanity’s Cotton Candy, Buddy Moo’s Ice Cream, and Kona Ice of Olympia.
Each day of the festival the Mermaid Museum’s board of directors will host a fish printing (gyotaku) station. In the museum kids are invited to a Pirate’s Treasure Hunt with prizes for those who complete the puzzle and find the treasure.
The International Mermaid Museum is a registered 501(C)3 non-profit dedicated to teaching ocean ecology from seashore to sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology, uniting world oceanic cultures.
Located on the grounds of Westport Winery Garden Resort, halfway between Aberdeen and Westport on the Washington Coast in Unforgettable Grays Harbor County, the museum is open daily from 11am to 6pm year around.
From Seashore to Sea Floor
The non-profit International Mermaid Museum is open daily from 11am to 6pm.
Admission is $3 per person. Children age 5 and under are free. Families are $10.
School groups enjoy free admission with advance reservations. We also have a traveling trunk program to provide free curriculum for distant schools.
For
those who want to contribute to the museum there are several opportunities. You
are encouraged to donate mermaid memorabilia and marine life artifacts.
Donate a brick or bench to the museum at https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/mermaidmuseum
In Mermaid Mythology
The International Mermaid Museum is located halfway between Aberdeen and Westport (just over two hours from Seattle or Portland).
There is ample day parking for RVs, boats and buses at 1 South Arbor Road, Aberdeen, WA 98520 Email:info@WestportWinery.com
Phone: 360-310-4882