This Is the Deepest Freshwater Cave System in the U.S.-and You Can See Real Mermaids There

"Weeki Wachee first opened in 1947 as a quirky roadside attraction but became a state park in 2008, thanks to the fact that it has the deepest freshwater cave system in the U.S. For nearly 80 years, whimsical Weeki Wachee-located about an hour north of Tampa, Florida -has drawn visitors to its spring-fed, 400-seat underwater theater, where women in colorful tails perform synchronized choreography and aquatic stunts every day while breathing through air hoses."

"The show was originally developed by Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy man who once trained Underwater Demolition Teams (aka "frogmen") to swim underwater in World War II. He translated some of that training to Weeki Wachee's mermaid show and by the 1950s, it became one of the most popular tourist stops in the country, with hundreds of people visiting each day to watch the "underwater ballets."

"This summer, five former Weeki Wachee mermaids-Arlene, Cheryl, Donna, Mary, and Ruth, all now in their 70s and living in different cities across the country-reunited and swam together in the clear-blue spring. The event was arranged by Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP that's similar to Make-A-Wish, but for aging adults. The "mersisters" got a chance to relive their years spent performing in the glass-walled theater, delighting crowds from 16 to 20 feet below the surface."

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park opened in 1947 and became a state park in 2008 because it contains the deepest freshwater cave system in the U.S. The spring-fed, 400-seat underwater theater hosts daily mermaid performances in which women wear colorful tails, perform synchronized choreography and aquatic stunts, and breathe through air hoses. Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy trainer, developed the original show and made it a major tourist destination by the 1950s. This summer five former mermaids reunited and swam together in the clear-blue spring in an event arranged by Wish of a Lifetime. Mermaid performances remain a cherished Florida tradition and run twice daily.

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