Ribbon cut Saturday at International Mermaid Museum

By Dan Hammock • April 6, 2021 4:00 pm
COURTESY INTERNATIONAL MERMAID MUSEUM Tokeland artist Yoseph Adams’ 12-foot installation “Mer Sea” stands just outside the entrance of the International Mermaid Museum.
COURTESY INTERNATIONAL MERMAID MUSEUM Tokeland artist Yoseph Adams’ 12-foot installation “Mer Sea” stands just outside the entrance of the International Mermaid Museum.

Opening week at the International Mermaid Museum drew mermaid enthusiasts, media and — of course — mermaids.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Greater Grays Harbor Inc. ambassadors cut the ribbon on the museum, located at the Westport Winery, Saturday. Mermaid Siren Ophelia greeted museum visitors at the entrance that day.

Saturday evening, there was a chowder contest with local chefs and celebrity judges, including Jim Burnworth, host of hunting shows including “Western Extreme.”

Mermaids from the Seattle and Portland “pods” milled about the grounds. Outside the entrance, Una the mermaid performed in a tank. Aura Stiers signed copies of her book, “Mermaid: A Dream Made Real.”

Local mermaid art was displayed on the grounds and inside the museum, where visitors crossed the glittered floors to take in displays featuring mermaid lore, the region’s maritime history and more. The museum drew the attention of the media, including NPR and King 5’s Evening Magazine crew, interviewing winery co-owner and museum founder Kim Roberts.

The International Mermaid Museum is located at 1 South Arbor Rd. in Aberdeen, off State Route 105 east of Westport, and is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information visit their website, mermaidmuseum.org, and Facebook page, facebook.com/InternationalMermaidMuseum.