Mermaid Tale Trail

In the charming heart of Brooksville, there’s a splash of magic that draws folks to Courthouse Square. Among the treasures of this vibrant gathering place is a mermaid statue from the Mermaid Tale Trail, a dazzling public art project launched in 2023 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. With 27 hand-painted, life-sized mermaid statues scattered across Hernando County—one right here in the square—this initiative brings a whimsical nod to Florida’s iconic mermaid legacy. Let’s dive into the story of how this statue, named “Patience,” makes Courthouse Square an even more enchanting spot for community connection.

On January 12, 2023, at Weeki Wachee Springs, hundreds gathered to unveil the Mermaid Tale Trail. The air buzzed with excitement as 28 mermaid statues, each a unique masterpiece by local artists, were revealed to honor the park’s 75 years of “Mermaids and Magic.” Born from a collaboration between Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, and Brooksville Main Street, the trail stretches from Brooksville to Hernando Beach, with one statue even gracing the Visit Florida Welcome Center in Jennings. In Courthouse Square, “Patience,” painted by artist Arielle Katarina, stands as a shimmering ambassador, her nautical hues tying the county’s mermaid heritage to Brooksville’s historic core.

Courthouse Square is Brooksville’s gathering spot—a place where families flock to the annual festivals, kids chase each other during holiday parades, and neighbors swap stories on shady benches. “Patience” fits right into this lively scene, her 6-foot-8 fiberglass form a captivating blend of art and history. Unlike the solemn War Memorial or Veterans Roll of Honor nearby, this mermaid statue brings a playful energy, her design inspired by the Weeki Wachee mermaids who have enchanted audiences since 1947. Cast from the face of veteran mermaid Kristy Lowman, “Patience” is a nod to real women who’ve brought the springs’ magic to life, making her a perfect fit for a square that celebrates community spirit.

The Mermaid Tale Trail was a labor of love, sparked by the vision of tourism leaders like Tammy Heon and John Athanason, who saw the 75th anniversary as a chance to spread Weeki Wachee’s charm countywide. Each statue, including “Patience,” was hand-painted by a local artist—Katarina’s work evoking the ocean’s calm resilience—and sponsored by community partners, like businesses and civic groups. The trail’s launch, delayed from October 2022 by Hurricane Ian, was a triumph of resilience, with the unveiling featuring remarks from park officials and a plaque dedicating the park’s Adagio statue as a National Historic Landmark. “Patience” in Courthouse Square carries that same spirit, standing firm even after hurricanes like Idalia and Helene tested the trail’s statues in 2023 and 2024.

What makes “Patience” so special is how she weaves into the everyday magic of Courthouse Square. On a typical day, you might see a kid snapping a selfie with her, part of the trail’s passport program that rewards visitors for finding each mermaid. During Veterans Day events, she serves as a colorful backdrop as people honor heroes at nearby memorials. At the farmers’ market, grandparents might point her out, sharing tales of watching Weeki Wachee mermaids back in the ‘60s. Her presence sparks curiosity—maybe about Kristy Lowman’s underwater feats or the park’s founder, Newton Perry, who trained the first mermaids with air hoses in 1947. She’s a conversation starter, tying Brooksville’s present to its quirky, storied past.

As you wander through Courthouse Square. Stand before “Patience,” admire her ocean-inspired glow, and feel the magic of Weeki Wachee’s legacy. Then take in the laughter, the chatter, and the life around you. That’s when you’ll get it: this mermaid isn’t just a statue; she’s a spark of joy in a town that knows how to celebrate its history while embracing its vibrant present. 

Citations

Florida Mermaid Trail. (n.d.). Explore the Enchanting Mermaid Tale Trail in Hernando County. Retrieved from https://floridamermaidtrail.com/tale-trail/

Hernando County Fine Arts Council. (n.d.). The Mermaid Tale Trail. Retrieved from https://www.hernandoarts.org/mermaid-tale-trail

Hernando Sun. (2023). Mermaid Sculptures Unveiled. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com/2023/01/20/mermaid-sculptures-unveiled/

Florida’s Adventure Coast. (n.d.). Mermaid Tale Trail. Retrieved from https://floridasadventurecoast.com/mermaid-tale-trail/

NatureCoaster. (2022). 75th Anniversary of Weeki Wachee Celebration and Unveiling of The Mermaid Tale Trail Postponed. Retrieved from https://www.naturecoaster.com/75th-anniversary-of-weeki-wachee-celebration-and-unveiling-of-the-mermaid-tale-trail-postponed/

Heartland LIVING Magazine. (2023). 75 Years of Mermaids... and Counting. Retrieved from https://heartlandlivingmagazine.com/75-years-of-mermaids-and-counting/

Historical Marker Database. (2019). Hernando County War Memorial. Retrieved from https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=130139

Hernando Sun. (2021). Memorial to Fallen Heroes Unveiled. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com/2021/01/22/memorial-fallen-heroes-unveiled/

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. (n.d.). Vote in Honor of a Vet. Retrieved from https://www.hernandovotes.gov

Hernando Sun. (2024). Calling All Artists: Join Hernando County’s Expanding Mermaid Tale Trail. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com/2024/07/12/calling-all-artists-join-hernando-countys-expanding-mermaid-tale-trail/