Photography By Jill Ament
Mermaid Festival
Miss Mermaid Texas and friends pose on a boat traveling through the Capital of Texas Mermaid Fest and parade in San Marcos. Miss Mermaid Texas competes in a national mermaid contest, where women vie every year to be Miss Mermaid USA.
Mermaid Festival
A woman who is a part of an all women roller derby team in San Marcos shows off her moves during the parade.
Mermaid Festival
Members of the Mermaid Society of Texas wave the parade at the annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest. The group puts on the festival, along with the city of San Marcos, every year. Members also raise environmental awareness of the San Marcos River.
Mermaid Festival
Ballet folklorico dancers perform during the annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest and parade, which featured several performers and floats celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mermaid Festival
Miss Mermaid Texas, right, poses on a boat traveling through the parade.
Mermaid Festival
A woman representing the San Marcos school district transportation volunteers waves at people attending the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest.
Mermaid Festival
Members of the Goodnight Middle School Marching Band perform during the mermaid parade.
Mermaid Festival
A woman dressed as a mermaid waves during the annual parade. This group of mermaids was representing a retirement community in the San Marcos area.
Mermaid Festival
A member of the Austin Samba dance group performs during the annual parade.
Mermaid Festival
Attendees of the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest sport their mermaid outfits as they watch the festival's parade in San Marcos.
Mermaid Festival
Miss Gulf Coast Mermaid, second from right, sports her lasso as she rides through downtown San Marcos.
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Mermaids and other seafaring people and creatures descended upon San Marcos to celebrate the annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Festival on Sept. 23.
The festival celebrates the history of the Aquarena Springs Aquamaids, women who dressed as mermaids and performed underwater acts when the Aquarena Springs amusement park operated in San Marcos more than two decades ago.
The festival also celebrates the San Marcos River, which runs through the city, and promotes the conservation of the river.