Seward
Mermaid
Festival

The Seward Mermaid Festival was created by local businesses and citizens in partnership with the Seward Harbor Opening Weekend, to celebrate rejuvenation, develop a creative community impact, and encourage local entrepreneurship.

The mermaid theme was chosen to represent our community's symbiotic relationship with the seas, oceans, and waterways that we hold so close to our hearts. Additionally, her attributes and qualities are ones that we feel everyone in Seward strives toward: Strength, Ingenuity & Expression Of Self.

We invite you to join us for three days of city-wide activities for the whole family!

TAG YOUR PHOTOS OF THE FEST AT #SEWARDMERMAIDFESTIVAL

May 17th & 18th

Seward Alaska - 2024

Friday May 17th

The Seward Mermaid Festival begins Friday with vendors and the Mermaid and Pirate Pub Crawl. This year's theme is Steampunk Mermaid.

Saturday May 18th

Spend Saturday listening to live music, enjoying great food and shopping at our vendor booths. Don't forget to wear your best mermaid and pirate swag to participate in the costume contest!

What you need to know.

The Seward Mermaid Festival is a fun, festive, family event that brings people together on the shoreside of Seward Alaska. Use the links below to learn more about the scheduled events, what vendors need to do to participate, and where to stay.

Vendor Information

Complete the vendor application to be a part of the 2024 Seward Mermaid Festival.

Accommodations

Find places to stay or camp so you can stay for the entire weekend.

Gallery & Swag

See pictures from previous years to get inspired to plan your 2024 costume.

Apply Now!

Reserve Space!

Get Inspired!

Team

Seaside community members with a passion for the ocean, engagement, music, fun and creativity.

These are the merfolk that bring you the Seward Mermaid Festival. The idea started with a ripple and now it comes in wonderful waves every spring.

Founder & Vendor Coordinator

Shelly Shank

Shelly is a local Seward resident and business owner. She enjoys the arts and being the part of Seward's great community. Creating the Seward Mermaid Festival, along with her business partners, has been one of the biggest highlights of her career.

Founder & Event Coordinator

Elle Zernia

Elle is the proud owner of the Mermaid Grotto so it easy to see how this festival's theme came to be. Swing by the restaurant during the festival to see how much love and effort she has devoted to her business and community.

Founder & Entertainment Coordinator

Tyson Davis

Tyson is the lead singer and song writer for Blackwater Railroad. He brings music to life and can bring a community together with the strum of his guitar.

Founder & Marketing Coordinator

Jw Frye

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Website & Graphic Design

Sierra Winter Smith

Sierra is Shelly's daughter and owner of her own graphic design business, Artwork by Sierra Winter. She is always eager to help the Mermaid Festival come to life and represents her business as a valued vendor.

www.artworkbysierrawinter.com

@amongwildflowersphotography_

MEET THE BANDS

Zen Trembles

Nate Smiith, Becky Kotter & Daniel Sipin

Zen Trembles was born in 2019, centered around Becky Kotter’s songwriting and unique acoustic guitar style. Described anywhere from alternative rock, progressive acoustic, or even math rock, this isn’t like any acoustic guitar sound you’ve heard before!

Listen Now

Banana Hands

Seward Alaska Local Band

Banana hands is a Seward based duo cranking out the hits of our time with an acoustic dance twist. Armed with just an acoustic guitar and a mandolin they shake the dancefloor like a band 3 times their size. Come and get bananas with bananahands!

The Balcao Company

One Man Band

The Balcao Company began on the streets of Anchorage, Alaska. Will Balcao would set up in his hometown at 4th and G and play late into the night learning new songs and making new friends. Tapping the Bass drum and Tambourine with his feet, while strumming the guitar and singing, Will is a one-man-band. However, he always enjoys jamming with others. He plays a wide range of music from slow dancing to floor shaking stomp with covers and originals. The Balcao Company Will put a smile on your face.