Saw this floating around FB and thought it should be discussed because it concerns me.
So apparently 'The Capitan's Mermaid Boutique' in Key West is hosting a brand new mermaid pageant, MERMAID USA, in like 5 months. Not to be confused with the beauty and health company of the same name. This pageant advertising doesn't even use original graphics but emojis, which is the first red flag.
TO BECOME A CONTESTANT YOU MUST:
Woman/Man can participate in 2 groups: Mermaid USA/MERMAN USA
Be at least 16 years of age
Be a United States citizen or permanent resident;
Meet the character/criteria as is set forth by the MERMAID USA Program;
Be in reasonably good health to meet the job requirements.
MUSA criteria: strong swimming along with teaching skills, creativity (bring your own mermaid/merman costume, tail, etc.) additional skills or talents...singing, reading, jewelry making, story telling, etc; participation in community services, current and future plans as a mermaid performer or mermaid teacher, photogenic. Special requirements: absolutely NO nudity. This is a family friendly event. Your costumes and performance will need to be in good taste.
MERMAID USA 2018 CATEGORIES:
SWIMMING AND TEACHING SKILLS,
UNDERWATER PERFORMANCE, UNDERWATER POSES,
INTELLIGENCE, CREATIVITY, PHOTOGENIC
And last but not least...Swim Around Key West Competition
Each Judge (5 judges) will give 0-1-2-3-4-5-6 points in each of the 5 sections. (Events)
AWARDS:
*MERMAID USA and MERMAN USA will go to 1 winner in each group
*BEST IN CATEGORY MERMAID/MERMAN - 1 in each category and group
*MERMAID USA participant: to all the contestants
All PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE: Tails from the participant company, prizes from local businesses, awards, 1 year of advertising in local, and national media along with modeling opportunities from Modeling/Fashion companies.
WINNERS WILL RECEIVE: A Crown, modeling opportunities, 1 year of advertising in national and local media through the official sponsor’s merchandise. Both winners also will be granted participation and presentation in the future GOD AND GODDESS OF THE SEA international event in Atlantic City in 2019.
All participants will be able to order additional private PRINTED photography from the EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER. Your own photographer is allowed.
PARTICIPATION FEE: (tuitions and scholarships are available)
Participation fee is $5000 per participant and includes:
Sharing a room for 2 at Perry Hotel for 6 days and 5 nights,
$100 food voucher per day for 5 days
Transportation from and to Key West International Airport
Participation in all scheduled events
Dinner cruise on June 1st, 2018
Airfare to and from Key West will NOT be included and the responsibility of the contestant
SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS : everyone who completes the registration form and chosen by the jury will be qualified for financial aid. You will need to fill out the appropriate form on or before February 15, 2018.
Financial aid or scholarships are not guaranteed, and will be determined by the directors discretion and decision.
Below are the BIG red flags that I noticed
1) mers must be both performers AND be able to teach these skills.
2) $5000 price tag for a shared room (those run about $250 a night), and $100 a day for food doesn't include airfare or copies of pictures taken, those you have to pay for yourself.
3) unnamed modeling/fashion opportunities. Generally the prize is with a named company.
4)you must bring your own costume/tail BUT every participant will get a tail to keep. A finfun
5) a race, an open water swimming race around Key West. That really really doesn't sound safe
6) the difference between the winners and the rest of the participants? a crown and an invite to the next level up pageant.
7) the mayors note on the website looks faked
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