NC MerMania, Greensboro's International Mermaid Convention

When you were a kid, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? Maybe you wanted to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a firefighter.

Mermaid tail by Mertailor

Maybe you wanted to be something a bit more fanciful. Maybe you wanted to be a rock star. Maybe you wanted to be a cowboy.

Maybe you wanted to be a mermaid.

Merman Christian with the media

Well, we can't help you in your quest to become a rock star, but we do know where you need to go if you want to be a mermaid (even if you haven't totally grown up!).

Mermaid Victoria Cox

This past weekend, the Greensboro Aquatic Center was host to the 2nd annual MerMania convention, an international gathering of mermaids and mermen. Founded by Greensboro resident Merman Daniel Craig, MerMania saw over 300 merfolk wash ashore from all over the US and Canada and as far away as France and Germany.

(L-R) Miss Mermaid USA Chelsi Wilkerson and Mermaid Bubbles (Sophie Howell)

In addition to providing a place for merfolk to socialize and swim, MerMania offered workshops on safety and merwrangling, which is the carrying and moving of mermaids by another person. There was also an expert Q&A where attendees could ask questions to a panel consisting of an actual Weeki Wachee mermaid, an author, a tail maker, and others in the merfolk industry.

Mermaid essentials by Organic Armor

There were plenty of merchants there to help you perfect your mermaid look. There were several tail manufacturers, people who made headdresses and body armor, and more.

Ariel

While the event was geared towards mermaids, spectators were welcome to attend. A spectator's pass was only $5 and for an additional fee, children were able to swim with the mermaids and attend mermaid storytime. Every child we saw seemed to love hanging with the mermaids, swimming with them, and having their photos taken with them.

Merman Maksim

The mermaids weren't the only celebrities in attendance. Artist Philo Barnhart, who worked on The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, The Rescuers Down Under, and many others, was there to sign autographs, pose for photos with fans, and talk about his art.