Category: Aquarium

Why Spotting a Mermaid is the Best Luck You’ll Ever Have

Ever had one of those days where you feel like the universe is just not on your side? Maybe your toast landed butter-side down, your favorite shirt has a mysterious stain, or you stepped on a LEGO (ouch!). Well, fret not, because I’ve got the ultimate solution to turn your luck around: spotting a mermaid!

Yes, you read that right. Seeing a mermaid isn’t just for fairy tales and sailor stories. It’s the universe’s way of giving you a big, shiny thumbs up. Don’t believe me? Let’s dive into why spotting a mermaid is the best luck you’ll ever have.

1. Instant Wealth (Kind Of)

Legend has it that mermaids are generous creatures who love to reward those who spot them with treasures. Imagine this: you’re strolling along the beach, and there she is, flipping her tail and tossing a pearl necklace your way. Suddenly, your financial worries are as distant as your last diet attempt. Okay, maybe you won’t actually get pearls, but the stories are enough to make you feel richer in spirit!

2. Your Social Media Game Will Be Legendary

Picture this: a selfie with a mermaid. The likes will pour in faster than you can say “under the sea.” Your Instagram followers will skyrocket, and your friends will be green with envy. Plus, you’ll have the best story at parties. “Oh, you got a new car? Cool. I hung out with a mermaid last weekend.”

3. A Free Aquatic Concert

Mermaids are known for their enchanting voices. Spot one, and you might be treated to an impromptu underwater concert. Forget about your playlist; this is the real deal. Just imagine hearing the original “Part of Your World” live. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

4. Unparalleled Fitness Inspiration

Ever noticed how mermaids have those toned, sleek tails? Spotting one might just be the motivation you need to hit the gym. If she can swim gracefully all day, surely you can manage a few laps in the pool, right? Plus, you’ll have a great story to tell your trainer. “I’m working out to keep up with my mermaid friend.”

5. Proof That Magic Exists

In a world full of mundane routines and daily grinds, seeing a mermaid is the ultimate reminder that magic is real. It’s like finding out unicorns are your new neighbors. The mere sight of a mermaid can reignite your belief in the impossible and add a sprinkle of magic to your life.

6. An Excuse for a Beach Day

Need a reason to skip work and hit the beach? “Sorry, boss, but I heard there’s been a mermaid sighting at the shore, and I can’t miss this opportunity!” It’s the perfect excuse for a spontaneous beach trip. Who can argue with the pursuit of mythical creatures?

7. The Best Conversation Starter

“How was your weekend?” “Oh, it was good. I saw a mermaid.” Boom. Instant conversation domination. No one’s going to top that story, and you’ll be the talk of the town.

8. Mermaid Wisdom

Mermaids are ancient beings with wisdom as deep as the ocean. Spotting one might mean she’ll impart some profound life advice. Maybe she’ll tell you the secret to happiness or give you tips on avoiding jellyfish stings. Either way, you’ll come away enlightened.

9. A New Perspective on Life

Seeing a mermaid can be a life-changing experience. It’s a reminder that the world is full of wonders and mysteries waiting to be discovered. Your outlook on life will be forever changed, and you’ll start noticing the little magical moments around you.

10. Ultimate Bragging Rights

At the end of the day, spotting a mermaid gives you the ultimate bragging rights. It’s a story that will be passed down through generations. “Grandma, tell us again about the time you saw a mermaid!” Your legacy will be cemented as the coolest person ever.

So, the next time you’re feeling down or in need of a little luck, head to the nearest body of water (or the Silverton aquarium!) and keep your eyes peeled. You never know when you might spot a mermaid and have your luck (and life) turned around in the most magical way possible. Happy mermaid hunting! 

The Legendary Las Vegas Mermaids

Legend has it that spotting a mermaid brings you luck for the rest of the day.

As luck would have it, the focal point of the Silverton Casino is an astonishing 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with thousands of tropical fish, one hundred species of fish, four distinct species of sharks, five species of stingray and… yes… a unique class of Las Vegas Mermaids.

The Silverton Aquarium is currently home to eight such mermaids, beautifully costumed to bring the mystical creatures of the deep to life every day.   Since the aquarium opened in 2004, the Silverton Mermaids have made more than 500,000 individual appearances.

Becoming a mermaid requires a unique resume and countless hours spent in the water.   Although most Silverton Mermaids are certified divers, their special uniforms – seashell bikini tops and tails – are not attached to scuba tanks. Instead, the performers breathe from so-called “hookah ports” throughout the aquarium reef, taking in just enough air to greet passers-by before returning for more air.

Through the years, more than 20 mermaids have donned fins at Silverton.  An elite group, many former mermaids have been part of the UNLV synchronized swimming program, and even Cirque du Soleil performers.  One famous alum, Heather Carrasco, is best known as a gold medalist in the 1996 USA Olympic Swim Team.

The mermaids have been featured in the media over the years and they have even assisted with Project Mermaids, a non-profit organization helping to bring awareness to Save Our Beach Foundation.

 “People are always surprised to know that we have sting rays and sharks in the tank, and they’re also surprised to know that they’re very, very docile and very sweet and not dangerous whatsoever,” said mermaid Logan Halverson in a 2018 feature in the Las Vegas Review Journal.  “It’s fun and it’s really nice to be able to get in and kind of zone out of my everyday life. It’s very, very relaxing.”

“My favorite part of being a professional mermaid is seeing the faces of the children who visit and how they light up. This is real for them, this is their fairy tales comes to life. It’s such a heartwarming feeling to be that for them,” stated former mermaid Ari Luizzi, in a 2014 feature in Los Angeles Times.

FUN FACTS ABOUT LAS VEGAS MERMAIDS 

• Silverton Mermaids have made more than 500,000 individual appearances since the opening of the casino’s aquarium.
• The Silverton Mermaids each spend about 15 minutes per swim, along with a safety diver. They are sometimes lowered into the tank on a special swing created for their grand arrival.
• Mermaids prefer cooler water.  The water temperature in the Silverton Aquarium is kept at a balmy 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The tails and fins worn by the Silverton Mermaids each weigh about 3 pounds.
• Silverton’s Underwater Wedding package gives new meaning to the phrase “taking the plunge.” Couples who are certified in scuba diving can get hitched in the Silverton Aquarium. All the gear and, thankfully, a full safety team are provided. If couples want to wear traditional attire, a weighted man’s vest and bride’s veil are available. Vows are exchanged below the surface, and the bride has the option to be accompanied by mermaids instead of her bridesmaids. Underwater Wedding packages start at $3,000 (plus related fees) and include a one-night hotel stay along with an underwater ceremony rehearsal.
• Wedding Ceremonies are also available in front of the aquarium, with a provided officiant and seating for up to 40 guests, starting at $700 (plus related fees).
• For those who have dreamed of being a mermaid, Silverton’s Las Vegas Mermaid School provides an opportunity.  As part of the magical 90-minute experience, fans ages 7 and older (including adults!) are transformed into a famed Silverton Mermaid and swim in the casino’s 117,000-gallon aquarium, along with thousands of tropical fish and rays.
• During the holidays, the Silverton Mermaids share their habitat with holiday icons.  During previous years, appearances have been made by Santa Claus and The Grinch.  Thanks to a state-of-the-art underwater microphone system, kids are able to speak directly to Santa during his underwater dives.
• In 2001, a Mermaid Convention (or MerCon, for short) was held at Silverton, attracting dozens of attendees who enjoy dressing as merfolk.  The convention was also the site of the first International Mermaid Pageant.
• In 2015, Silverton hosted a special game of underwater poker inside the aquarium to promote the nonprofit organization Dive Alliance, which supports veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  With thousands of exotic fish swimming around, the poker players competed in a friendly game of poker, betting with poker chips made of clay so that they wouldn’t float. The dealer was a Silverton Mermaid, which provided an unforgettable experience for the veterans.  (Video:  https://vimeo.com/144935275)