For centuries, beneath the waves, we’ve lived in mystery.
 A lucky few have caught a glimpse. But now, all eyes will see.
 In our city of legends, the downtown streets, now will set the stage.
 Watch out for us with summer here, we’ve surfaced to amaze.

Summer has returned to shine, and from the ocean blue,
Our school of mermaids takes the stage and rise for all to view.
The children of Easter Seals will smile and artists brushes glow,
the downtown streets are where we'll meet before we have to go.

Out of the sea and into the streets ...
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to bring Mermaids in the City to St. John's!

"Harbour Guardian" and "Mermaid Princess Oz" were the first
two mermaids to surface on July 14, 2006.  Visit the mermaid gallery
for photos and information about each mermaid.

The Mermaids' Tale

St. John's - the oldest city in North America. The City of Legends. The city of sailors and seafaring adventures. The city where tales of pirates, hidden treasures and creatures beneath the waves still whisper among the buildings and alleyways of old St. John's. This year, one of the most magical and mythical nautical legends of all time is surfacing in this city once again. To some, she was known as the Siren, to others the Water Nymph, but to most, it is the name Mermaid that brings her legend to mind.

Out of the Sea and Into the Streets

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to bring Mermaids in the City to St. John's. Mermaids in the City has captured the imaginations of young and old alike, and will inspire visitors and locals with the magical mermaids legend.  Here's how it works:

• Easter Seals has manufactured larger-than-life blank fiberglass mermaids.
   
• The best of Newfoundland's renowned art community are applying their talents to these mermaid canvasses and bringing them to life. They will create mermaids that will stop people in their tracks.
   
• The mermaids will adorn the downtown sidewalks of St. John's all summer to be viewed and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people. A walking guide will be published and distributed so that locals and tourists alike can walk the mermaid trail and visit each mermaid in her new surroundings.  Check back for a list of locations where the walking guide will be available in late July.
   
• At the end of September, the mermaids will disappear from the streets forever. They will take center stage at the Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel where they will be auctioned to the highest bidders at the year's finest gala event, the Mermaid Ball. The mermaids will become part of private collections decorating properties, board rooms and foyers for many years to come - a reminder of the year that mermaids surfaced again in St. John's.

Mermaids in the City is big in every way - the mermaids won't just blend into the St. John's cityscape. At eight feet tall, they'll stand above the crowd. Just imagine gazing down Water or Duckworth Street and seeing these beautiful sculptures, arms outstretched, reaching for the sky! Mermaids in the City will be impossible to miss - even our larger-than-life mayor will look up to the mermaids!

How Can You Become Involved?

Easter Seals is seeking sponsors, artists and volunteers to become involved in this unique project.  The response so far has been just overwhelming – Mermaids in the City is the stuff of legend and history and romance, and people are embracing it with enthusiasm.

One of the most rewarding benefits of Mermaids in the City will be the smiles on the faces of children with physical disabilities. There are more than 2,500 such children in Newfoundland and Labrador. Proceeds from Mermaids in the City will enable Easter Seals to expand its programs and services for these deserving kids and their families. Through your support of Mermaids in the City, you will give these children the opportunity to grow, develop and just be kids.

For more information on Easter Seals programs and services please visit our web site http://www.easterseals.nf.ca.

For information or to become involved, please contact us:

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
Attn:  Yvonne Snow, Development Manager
712 – 100 Forest Road, St. John’s, NL  A1A 1E5
Telephone 709.754.1399  Facsimile 709.754.1398  info@easterseals.nf.ca