The Mermaid's Market is a "Brick and Mortar" Artisan's Street Market held the first and third Saturdays (from mid-October thru April or May each year) in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico
at the Shrimp Plaza in the center of town.
The Mermaid’s Market is going into its 5th year here in Puerto Peñasco. It will start up again the third Saturday of October and continue each first and third Saturday of the month through the first
week of April.
It is great fun and shows the talent that we have here
in our little seaside town when it comes to art and the crafts that
these artisans can accomplish. Our artists pay a small fee to be with
us on those selected Saturdays in the downtown park known as Shrimp
Plaza. A portion of that fee is set aside to be donated to our town's local DIF program. We make the donations twice each season: one in December and one after our finale in April. We
think it makes a difference and we know that DIF appreciates the little
extra bit of support the Mermaid's Market provides.
After a lengthy conversation with Linda
Pivac de Munro (the first lady of Peñasco) I learned a lot more about
what her passion is regarding DIF and it’s activities. Our DIF office (Development of Integral Families) is
all about helping locals. One area that this administration is
committed to is that of Education.
As of right now
there are 83 low income kids from Puerto Peñasco receiving a better education because of DIF. Each of these students were chosen because they are drug free, have good grades and work ethic along with having a financial need. Most of them are enrolled in local schools; however, eight of
the students are in a “student house” in Mexicali and are attending
University there. The rent of the house, the utilities and the
University, are all paid for by DIF Peñasco.
DIF
raises money in several different ways for their programs. Many events
have a donation to DIF built in. Sonoran Resorts is a big supporter
with their Las Vegas Nights program held each year.
The
event that raises the most money for the kids at DIF is the annual
Black and White Ball. This is a night to dress up and enjoy a fine
meal. The proceeds all go to DIF. Here is an invitation to this year's
Ball.
It will be held at the Convention Center in Puerto Peñasco on
September 30th.
In the past, the event was all in Spanish. This year parts of the presentations may be in English which will make it more interesting for anyone who doesn't speak Spanish. Enjoy a relaxing dinner. And, the Orchestra music presentation promises to be incredible.
So, get out your best Black and White. . .and enjoy a fun evening.
When you purchase your tickets, please let them
know that you read about it from the Mermaid’s Market!
If you can’t
attend the Ball but would like to make a direct contribution to DIF, let
me know and I will send you the instructions! mexicoruss@gmail.com
Be sure to visit us at the Mermaid’s Market in Shrimp Plaza the first and the third Saturday each month starting October 21st!
It’s
that time of year! April 1st is the date for this year’s Pirate and Mermaid
Extravaganza, bringing the tastes of a New Orleans Cajun party to Peñasco -
with pirates and mermaids galore!
The Mermaid’s Market is in its 5th year and has become known as a local
marketplace to find unique and eclectic ‘mermaid treasures’. . . gifts,
clothing, candy, home decor, paintings, photographs and more. This year
the ‘Mermaids’ have introduced the Mermaid’s Lounge which is our answer to a
beer garden, making Saturdays at the park an even more eclectic, one-of-kind
shopping experience. Each 1st and 3rd Saturday (during the months of October
through April) you can find ‘mermaids’ selling their wares at the Shrimp Park
in the center of Rocky Point.
As part of its spring events, the Mermaid’s Market will present the 4th Annual
Pirate and Mermaid Extravaganza on Saturday, April 1st.First on the schedule will be a Pirate and
Mermaid dance presentation by the Elegante School of Dance.
Of
course, there will be zydeco music playing throughout the day. And, at noon
Richard Scott and the Puerto Peñasco Marching Band will bring in the sounds of New Orleans! In the
afternoon, Los Ponchos - a fantastic local band – will introduce a music set
customized just for the Party!
Want
to get started dancing early? Friday night is the Southern Drawl Band coming in
from Tennessee
for a night of great music - hosted by the Satisfied Frog Restaurant.
"Locals" tickets are available for just $15. (contact:
mexicoruss@gmail.com )
Of
course, on Saturday you will want to dress in costume as we have cash and other
prizes for the best Pirate and Mermaid costumes in both adult and children
categories! This year, first place for the adult winners will be 1200 pesos
each and for the children’s contest, 600 pesos each.
Another
highlight will be delicious Tastes of Louisiana from the Satisfied Frog
Restaurant served all day at the park! These Pirate and Mermaid cooks will be
dishing up their gumbo along with a Rocky Point Shrimp Boil with corn, new
potatoes and shrimp, all boiled up with garlic. And, we have a new addition to
the menu with one of our artisan cooks bringing us delicious crab bisque!
There will be 20 vendors with their Mermaid's "treasures" along with
our themed drinks at the Mermaid's Lounge: Blue Mermaid Margaritas and New
Orleans Hurricanes.
