The Downtown Marshall Association and the Tourism Development Authority of Madison County are calling all to sport their best pirate, mermaid or sea creature costumes and attend the eighth annual Mermaids in Marshall festival today, June 5.
Jess Ames, an artist and member of Flow art gallery, said that the artists from the studios on Blannahassett Island have helped in making this a unique event.
“It started as just a bunch of artists who had studios on the island, and the renovated studios felt like doing something a little different to celebrate summer,” Ames said. “A bunch of people dressed up in sea-themed costumes – lots of mermaids, fish and crabs – and we kind of just marched down the street.”
The festival also includes live music at 5 p.m., festival goers can listen to The Low-Down Sires play at the Drovers Rest building, and then watch the Mermaids in Marshall Parade starting at 6:30 p.m.
The parade will start on Blannahassett Island and will end at the courthouse, where Pierce Edens and The Dirty Work will be playing at 7 p.m.
To continue the celebration the overall town of Marshall and the French Broad River, downtown galleries and restaurants will stay open late and restaurants will be offering sea-inspired menus to customers.
Ames added that Flow will be celebrating it’s fifth year anniversary tonight as well with an open house, and a birthday cake.
Attendees can also treat themselves to temporary tattoos from the Natural Canvas tattoo museum, fish tacos from Zuma, lemonade from Kiliki Shaved Ice, Pot Pie’s seafood and a variety of fun activities throughout the festival.
The festival runs from 5 – 11 p.m. and is free to the public.
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