Friday, October 6, 2017

2017-2018 Season


The "Mermaids" are back at work! 
Check out all the Mermaid's Treasures at each Mermaid Market. 
We have New Vendors (Mermaids) scheduled to be joining us! 

The 2017 - 2018 Season dates are listed on the poster and to the right 
Hope to see you!


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Mermaid's Market and Local DIF Programs

A Note by Russ Black

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!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Pirate Party ... "After Words"

2017 Pirate & Mermaid Extravaganza 
 
A Great Day of Fun. . .Enjoy the Photos! 
Thank You to Manny Sanchez Photography
with extra photos by Tony Ballesteros 
(and maybe a few from Rita and Libby).



Russ welcomed the First Lady of Penasco,  
Linda Pivac de Munro, who spoke briefly about the 
purpose of the local DIF and its recent accomplishments. 


Elegante School of Dance   
8 little octopus girls danced to Octopus' Garden
6 Pirates, 3 Mermaids and a final Hip-Hop Dance   


Entering from the street and weaving through the crowd! 
Puerto Penasco City Marching Band 

 Richard Scott and Company 
with more Sounds of New Orleans, Louisiana USA

 And, then it was a fantastic hour of dancing
Our Favorite Local Band, Los Ponchos  

 
The audience enjoyed the Entertainment 
along with Great Food from our Major Sponsor, 
Satisfied Frog Restaurant
 

_______________________________

 2:30 Arrives and it is time for the 
Pirate & Mermaid Costume Contests


This year, we had almost more 
judges than contestants...
But who's counting? ( O...that would be me)

Our Judges include...
Ashley of Canvas Hair Studio
Ellie from Oceano Real Estate
Maru from Eco-Fun  
Sarina, Local writer & Health instructor 
Along with Bill, Claudia, Dick Liv and Patti 

The kid's are always the cutest! 
The smaller they are, the more adorable they are! 
They all had great hand-made costumes
and with prizes for both 1st place and 2nd place, 
everybody that entered was a winner!   
Prizes included Cash along with Gifts from the Idea Store 
and Banana Splits from Latitude 31 ...yummy.    


They weren't locals (I think they swam in from the Sea.)
and, these Mermaids made their own fantastic seashell crowns!
Their Prizes included Cash along with Bottles of Tequila,
and Gift Certificates from BooBar and La Spa de Penasco 
 
 
Most popular was the Pirate Contest! 
In the running was quite the Motley Crew 
of Crusty-looking Characters!   
Their Prizes included Cash along with Bottles of Rum,
and Gift Certificates from BooBar and La Spa de Penasco


(SIDE-BAR)
Goal for 2018...More Contestants!  
  
Our Artists, Crafters, and Vendors are the BEST! 
Not only do they agree to be called "Mermaids," 
but they pack up their Treasures 
and set up great displays on selected Saturdays
at the park from October thru April each year. 
We certainly appreciate their cooperation! 
 

Thank You to Everyone who attended! 
Thanks to all the 
Artists, Dancers, Musicians, Vendors, Contestants, 
Cooks, Bakers & Candy-makers. 

Special "Thank You" to our Crazy Volunteers
Thayne, Tamra, Alberta and Hector.


THANK YOU to the Long List of Sponsors 
who help support this Event 
(See List at Left)  

and the City or Puerto Penasco 
and the Local DIF office for their support.

"One Salty Pirate & his Not-Quite-a-Mermaid Hang Out here"

. . . NEXT YEAR . . . 
JOIN US & DON'T MISS OUT!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS  

APRIL 7, 2018


For the Entire Event Photo Album visit: 

Click on the Video to view  

Monday, March 20, 2017

APRIL 1 ST 2017

It’s that time of year!

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.

It promises to be a great day. Don't miss it! 


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

SPRING 2017

February & April Special Events 


The February 18th Mermaid's Market will be located at Penasco del Sol 
as part of the Taste of Penasco Event 

____________________________________

April 1st will be the annual Grand Finale for the Season 
Our Pirate & Mermaid Extravaganza
Make your plans to be here for this Fun Day!
Wear a Pirate or Mermaid costume - enter and win cash or prizes!