10th Season Finale: Pirate and Mermaid Fiesta

After a brief break in April, 

there are two Mermaid's Market scheduled for the month of May. 

The first one will be on Saturday, May 7th.

We are happy to announce that the second market in May will be 

our Season Finale Party of the 10th season of the Mermaid's Market. 

The "Pirate and Mermaid Fiesta" will be on the Saturday 

of Memorial Day Weekend: May 28th, 2022.

NOTE: This is the 4th Saturday of May

As readers may remember, the first Mermaid's Market was in December of 2012. By the end of our 2nd season in April of 2014, we had introduced a New Orleans-style Pirate and Mermaid party as the last event of the season. Back in 2014, we had no restaurant vendors and no bar. So, this was the first time we requested a food and alcohol permit from the city administration. We received permission and had a fantastic first Finale Party - including food, music - and we served our first ever Mermaid Margaritas!

The following year, we decided to add live music to the Finale Party. Ever since, we have invited a variety of musicians and entertainers - always keeping with our New Orleans, Pirates and Mermaids theme.

Now, a quick diversion back to 2011 and another memory: The Jazz Festival at Penasco del Sol (was it called Plaza Las Glorias back then?)... well, the point is that in the fall of 2011, they held a Jazz Fest and we were introduced to the super cool and funky sound of the Bad Cactus Brass Band. Soon after that, in 2012 the New Times named them Phoenix’s "best traditional New Orleans brass band."

All these years later, we've caught up with them again!

Their website (www.badcactusbrass.com) concludes by asking, "Is your event unusual enough to pique our interest?"

Hmmm, of course I had to ask! 

. . . and, we are so happy to announce they will be our special guests at this year's Pirate and Mermaid Fiesta. This 8-piece band from Phoenix - the Bad Cactus Brass Band - will be entertaining us with 3 sets of music throughout the day. Their fun, upbeat sound will be sure to get you up on your feet! 

In addition, the Paulani dancers (polynesian/Hawaiian dancers) and the Cultivarte group with their African-style drums & dance will be entertaining us.

Of course, our 30+ "mermaid" arts and crafts vendors - including artists, painters, photographers, designers and artisans - will have new and unique treasures for you to discover and enjoy!

In the spirit of New Orleans fun, the "Mermaid's Lounge" bar will be serving up traditional New Orleans-style Hurricanes - in addition to our signature Mermaid Margaritas and ice cold beer. We have great lunch choices! El Menche Tamales, Rocky BBQ House with their famous ribs and pork, and other artisanal delights.

As has been true for all 10 seasons, we work with the local administration to present these events for our community. The Mermaid's Market benefits the local DIF organization, which gives assistance to local vulnerable families and children.

Add to the fun of the day and dress up as a Pirate or Mermaid!

Come by the bar, show us your costume to win great prizes!

 

Don't miss this Season Finale Party!

See you there.

 

 

 

2019 Pirate & Mermaid Extravaganza Photo Album

April 6, 2019 ~ What a Fun Day! 

Here are a Few Highlights from the Day.

Find the entire Photo Album from InFocus Photo Studio at:  

https://www.misfotos.com.mx/Eventos/Mermaids-Market/

(Thank you Manny & Grethel!)

*A few pictures are courtesy of Russ Black, 
Tony Ballesteros, Linda Plante and Barb Rock.

The City Marching Band

Los Ponchos . . . Always Great & Always a Crowd Pleaser

The Crowd enjoying the Music

The park has great trees and shade on this side!

Then, just for fun we sorta 

"kidnapped" Melissa (from the SOB Festival) 

. . . and we held her for ransom in Mermaid Jail until her "knight in shining armor" 
came to her rescue and played us a song to gain her release. 

Good sports, these guys!  

We didn't keep her jailed up for tooo long...

      

Paulani Dancers . . .  The Pirates!

Paulani Dancers . . . The Mermaids

Relaxing in a shaded and grassy park.... kinda cool!

Judges for our Costume Contest

The "Kids" Pirate Contest

That littlest one always captures our hearts.

"Kid's" Mermaid Contest. Such creative hand made outfits!

 The attentive Audience. (Anticipation)

Here come the Pirates....

A few more....

And, a few more.

 

The Adult Mermaid Costume Contest 

First time we had a Merman in attendance. 

_________________________________________________________

  

Our artist's and craft vendors are what the 

Mermaid's Market is all about! 

 Thank You to all of the local and visiting artist's who 

are willing to set up at the Mermaid's Markets month after month.

It is a lot of work and we truly appreciate it! 

For this season's April "finale" market, we had about 34 artists joining us. 

We don't have photos of everyone...

But, here are a just a few. 

  

 

 _____________________________________________________

Amazing Food vendors bringing us 

Cajun & New Orleans Specialties

Most of the Satisfied Frog Crew

The BBQ House Crew

  ________________________

THANK YOU! 

To the Pirate Crew behind the BAR!  

Linda, Shayna and their Crew

 _________________________

Thank you again to all of the 

Sponsors and Supporters of this event!

 

"That's a Wrap!"
We are so pleased that the Mermaid's Market 

completed a successful 7th season. 

Stayed tuned for any special summer events!

And, we will see you in October! 

 ______________________________________

Here is the Photo Album from InFocus Photo Studio at:  

https://www.misfotos.com.mx/Eventos/Mermaids-Market/

(Thank you Manny & Grethel!)

April 6th A few Final Details.

Schedule of Events for this Saturday's 

Pirate & Mermaid Extravaganza 

APRIL 6th, 2019   10 to 3.

This Year we have Great Support 

from the Local Community!

Here is our banner showing Sponsors.  

Pirates and Mermaids 2019

MERMAID’S MARKET 
SPRING NEWS

Wow! Time flies. 
The Mermaid’s Market is in its 7^th season! 

It seems like just a few days ago it was October and we were anxiously waiting for the construction workers to be finished working in the main section of the Shrimp Park! 

And, now we have been enjoying the remodeled park for several months!

The market has become known as a great spot to find unique & eclectic ‘mermaid treasures’ (including gifts, clothing, candy, home decor, paintings, photographs and more.) Thus, making the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays a fun, one-of-kind shopping day! 

Each year, we welcome a few new vendors. The BBQ House Restaurant has become a regular landmark at the park this season! It is fantastic to have delicious barbecue lunches available right next to the Mermaid’s Lounge – where you can also grab a beer, Mermaid Margarita or Bloody Maria. We also have other new regular vendors (who we call “mermaids”) offering artisan coffee, candy, baked items, jewelry and more.   

On the first Saturday of February we joined efforts with the Local Rotary Club and co-hosted the 2^nd Annual Fishbowl Seafood Fest. This Rotary fund-raiser brought almost 20 restaurants plus over 25 arts & crafts vendors to the park! After an early morning rain “drizzle” we ended up having a fantastic sun-filled day of food, music, art and fun.

As spring is arriving, we are looking towards April and making plans for our season finale! Last year with an unusually early Semana Santa week and an equally early visit from the Oaxaca Arts & Crafts merchants, our annual Pirate and Mermaid Extravaganza was forced to take a hiatus.  

However, 2019 will see the return of the Pirate and Mermaid Extravaganza, bringing the musicand tastes of a New Orleans Cajun party to Peñasco - with pirates and mermaids galore! We will have live music & entertainment throughout the day along with food & drinks specials!

The Mermaids invite everyone to join the fun by dressing up as a Pirate or a Mermaid.  

 Once again, the costume contest will present Cash (whoo-hoo!) and Prizes 

for the best costumes in 4 categories: Adult and Child Pirate & Adult and Child Mermaid.

We have a few more surprises planned! 

Enjoy the day with a whole crew of Pirates and Mermaids! 

So…April 6, 2019 - it’s a date, right?

A Few More Details: 

Food & Drinks

Satisfied Frog serving Delicious Cajun Specialties

BBQ House serving up their tasty BBQ 

Ricardo's Cafe (artisan coffee) 

Mermaid's Lounge... with Mermaid's Margarita 

plus straight outta New Orleans Hurricanes  

Entertainment 

The City of Penasco Marching Band

Los Poncho

Paulani Dance group

SPONSORS

Penasco Recreation 

Rocky Point 360

Satisfied Frog 

Get involved: be a Vendor or Sponsor

mexiconaomi@gmail.com  

mexicoruss@gmail.com

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: 

 http://www.mannysanchez.photography/Events/Pirates-Mermaids-2017

Click on the Video to view