If you're new to Tampa Bay, you might not be familiar with Weeki Wachee Springs. It's a state park in Hernando County that has animal encounters, freshwater springs, walking trails, and MERMAIDS. Yes, there are mermaids who perform in the underwater theater (that you can see through glass) as part of the park. It's quintessentially old Florida, and natives LOVE it. I grew up going to Weeki Wachee, and if you've never been, you should go. There have been renovations over the years, but it's one of the places in Tampa Bay that has retained its old school feel.
Anyway, if you've ever dreamed of being a mermaid, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is holding auditions for mermaids on October 2nd! There is a swim test (duh--mermaids have to be strong swimmers!) and an underwater audition, that I'm guessing will probably include some choreography. The process takes 1-2 hours, and you have to be able to withstand chilly water--the year-round temperature of the spring is 72-74 degrees, which is pleasant for the air, but will feel cold in the water (fun fact: water removes heat from your body three times faster than air does...I learned that when getting certified to scuba dive). For comparison, the water temperature in Tampa Bay right now is about 86.
If you think you've got what it takes, click HERE for info on applying and auditioning! And if you do it, let us know how it goes!
Photo: Getty Images