Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week Returns September 23-29!

Mermaids Return to Newport Aquarium This June

The mermaids will also be educating guests on the importance of ocean conservation.

Jun 7, 2024 at 3:43 pm

Experience the magic of mermaids at the Newport Aquarium this June. Photo: Provided by Newport Aquarium

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard - Inline - Content",
            "component": "16925999",
            "insertPoint": "5th",
            "startingPoint": "3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "3",
            "maxInsertions": 100
          }
          
        ]

Mermaids will return to the Newport Aquarium this June with flipping fins and magical bubble kisses, as well as an important message about saving our oceans.

Saturday, June 8 is World Ocean Day, and to celebrate, the aquarium’s mermaid friends will be helping educate visitors about ocean conservation and the dangers of single-use plastics. According to World Ocean Day organizers, at least 14 million tons of plastic wind up in the ocean every year, and less than 10% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled.

“The magic of mermaids at Newport Aquarium goes beyond bubble kisses and tail flips,” mermaid Vayna shared in a press release. “We are here because we need help from our human friends to keep plastic thing-a-mabobs out of the ocean. Skipping the straw or choosing a reusable shopping bag may seem small, but it makes a big difference to our fishy friends!”

Newport Aquarium is also doing its part to limit plastic waste, saying its recycling program this past year has kept over 2,300 pounds of flat plastic and 750 pounds of styrofoam from entering waterways. Local organizations are also raising awareness for World Ocean Day, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who are lighting up Paycor Stadium blue in honor of the day.

“With the beautiful Ohio River flowing between the aquarium and Paycor Stadium, it’s a great reminder about how water connects us all,” Rebecca Foster, Newport Aquarium’s executive director, said in the release. “We’re grateful to everyone who’s doing their part to keep our waterways, and the ocean they flow to, clean and healthy for ourselves and the animals.”

The mermaids will be at Newport Aquarium until June 23. The experience is included in the cost of general admission or a membership, and you’ll be able to find them in Mermaid Cove, diving underwater in the Coral Reef Tunnel and swimming with the cownose stingrays as they also share their story about the long journey swimming to the Cincinnati area.

Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way. More info: newportaquarium.com.

Slideshow

20 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (June 7-9)

2024 Cincinnati Concours d’EleganceWhen: June 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Where: Ault Park, Mt. LookoutWhat: An event celebrating Italian automotive innovation.Who: Cincinnati Concours d’EleganceWhy: View historic Italian-style automobiles and motorcycles and pay tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. Proceeds from the event will benefit the juvenile arthritis programs of the Arthritis Foundation.

NISE Drag BingoWhen: June 7 from 7-10 p.m.Where: OTR Stillhouse, Over-the-RhineWhat: The third-annual Drag Bingo fundraiser offers a fun game night for those 18 and older.Who: Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in EducationWhy: Join local nonprofit Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in Education for their third-annual Drag Bingo fundraiser to help raise money to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for college and college readiness.

Maggie Rogers at the ICON Festival Stage at Smale ParkWhen: June 7 at 7:30 p.m.Where: Andrew J Brady Music Center, The BanksWhat: Musician Maggie Rogers will be performing with special guest The Japanese House.Who: Maggie RogersWhy: See Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer Maggie Rogers tour in support of her new album, Don't Forget Me. Indie pop artist The Japanese House will be opening for Rogers.

Duck Tape® at the ParkWhen: June 7-9Where: Washington Park, Over-the-RhineWhat: Annual exhibition of large-scale art sculptures crafted entirely from Duck Tape®.Who: The Art Academy of Cincinnati Why: Experience over a dozen works of Duck Tape® art at Washington Park. The vibrant and creative sculptures are the work of students and alumni of The Art Academy of Cincinnati and local artists and students from Winton Woods Intermediate School and the Summit Country Day School.

St. Mike FestWhen: June 7-8 from 6-midnight and June 9 from 3-9 p.m. Where: Saint Michael Church, Blue AshWhat: Enjoy a weekend of live music, gambling, games, rides, food and drink.Who: Saint Michael ChurchWhy: A weekend of family fun with live music by The Rusty Griswolds, DV8 and Matt Waters & The Recipe, along with games, rides and LaRosa’s pizza.

Monarch Fest 2024When: June 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Where: Christ The King Lutheran Church, West ChesterWhat: A free fun and educational event promoting environmental conservation.Who: Christ The King Lutheran ChurchWhy: Enjoy a day of family fun including creative kid’s activities, educational garden tours, food, live music and vendors. The event also teaches families how to make their garden accommodate local species and provides attendees with local greenery to plant at home.

ArtisanFest513 Pride MarketWhen: June 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Where: Washington Park, Over-the-RhineWhat: Celebrate Pride while browsing stands from local vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, art and tasty food. Who: ArtisanFest513Why: Kick off Pride month by shopping local vendors’ creations and enjoying delicious food.

Click to View 20 slides

Tags:

About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...