Author on a Mission to Save Weeki Wachee, 'City of Mermaids'

Novelist Kelly Reno and the nine residents of Weeeki Wachee, Florida are on a mission to save one of America's great roadside attractions.

(PRWEB) November 23, 2004 -- Although author Kelly Reno resides in Los Angeles, she chose Weeki Wachee, Florida as the location for the official release of her new novel, 'Misadventures & Merfolk. The landmark tourist attraction, famous for its underwater mermaid theater seemed the perfect place for the book release event. But when the author discovered that the park was in trouble, her plans changed from a simple book signing to a campaign to help save Weeki Wachee and its mermaids from extinction.

The town of Weeki Wachee, also known as the 'City of Mermaids is home to the world-famous Mermaid Theater where live mermaids have been performing in daily shows for visitors for over 50 years. The 27-acre roadside attraction was built in 1947 and has seen such distinguished guests as Elvis, and more recently, Paris Hilton when she was transformed into a Weeki Wachee Mermaid on 'Simple Life 2.

But all is not well in the City of Mermaids. Due to the high cost of maintaining the old facilities and pressure from government agencies to upgrade the property, Weeki Wachee has struggled to stay afloat in recent years. Eighteen months ago, private investors turned over the 30-year lease to Weeki Wachees 9 permanent residents after the neglected theme park was so saddled with bills and repairs that it was no longer a desirable investment.

Accepting the burden abandoned by its former owners, the determined residents of Weeki Wachee banded together to preserve the nostalgic landmark and took park operations into their own hands - a struggle that has left them treading water ever since. Even after meeting nearly impossible deadlines for upgrades, The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which owns the park and surrounding 440 acres, continue to demand that more costly upgrades be made to the aging attraction -- or face closing its doors after 57 years. While local residents have kept the park afloat and crews of volunteers have donated materials and labor to restore the attraction, the new owners of Weeki Wachee continue to meet their own misadventures with state bureaucrats and an endless sea of red tape.

Robyn Anderson, the 32-year-old Mayor of Weeki Wachee and a former swimming mermaid herself, is heading the 'Save Our Tails campaign in an effort to restore the property to its former glory, a cause that attracted author Kelly Reno to take notice. The park has a one-of-a-kind underwater Mermaid Theater. It was the inspiration behind my new novel," Reno says. Ill never for get the first time I saw it. A whole city of mermaids - wow. You just dont forget something like that."

And forget it she didnt. Reno went on to write a novel about her own city of mermaids, 'Misadventures & Merfolk. The book tells the tale of a travel writer stranded in a remote, seaside village during a mermaid and matchmaking festival. And the main character is a young woman who performs as a mermaid in a giant water tank for tourists -- much like the showgirl sirens of Weeki Wachee. But while Renos book is fiction and ends happily ever after, the situation facing the residents of Weeki Wachee is real and their future uncertain.

To benefit the park restoration project, Reeds Press has released a special 'Save Our Tails edition of 'Misadventures & Merfolk with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the City of Weeki Wachee. The park is hosting Kelly Renos official reception and book signing on Saturday, November 27th from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Im honored to be helping the park in their struggle to preserve this magical place, Reno says. If enough people come together and support Weeki Wachee, I believe that it can be saved. This is one of the last great American roadside landmarks and I dont want to see it disappear. I want the story of Weeki Wachee to have a happy ending."

Three things you can do to save the mermaids:

1. Write a letter to Florida Governor, Jeb Bush expressing your support for the preservation of the Weeki Wachee Mermaid Theme Park.

Governor Jeb Bush, PL 05 The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Phone (850) 488-4441, E-Mail jeb.bush@myflorida.com

2. Make a contribution to the 'Save Our Tails Foundation
City of Weeki Wachee, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Florida, 34606.
Phone (352) 596-2062, Website www.weekiwachee.com

3. Buy a special 'Save Our Tails edition of 'Misadventures & Merfolk $1.00 will be donated to the city of Weeki Wachee Preservation Project for every special edition copy sold. Please send a check or money order for $14.95 (CA add 7.75%) plus $4.00 s&h to:

Reeds Press, P.O. Box 701-W, Montrose, CA 91021
or order online at www.Mer-Folk.com

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