Inspired by monsoon rain, Tucson to host mermaid parade

PHOENIX — When recent monsoon storms flooded Tucson streets with water, local art director David Aguirre became inspired.

What would Tucson be like if it were underwater?

He thought there might be mermaids there, so that gave him an idea.

“We thought, ‘Why don’t we make up a mythology of when the mermaids used to be here, and when Tucson was underwater, would life be that much different?'” Aguirre explained.

And thus, the first-ever “Return of the Mermaids” parade was born. Downtown merchants have set up a beach area and are inviting people to come dressed in a mermaid outfit and walk in the parade. There will also be facepainting and a kids play area.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday night across from the Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson.