“When staff first saw the application come through from Mermaid Echo to participate in the 2024 Strawberry Festival, we were immediately intrigued by the concept of a live mermaid at our festival. Working with Mermaid Echo and their team has been incredibly easy. There were some logistics that needed to be worked through in order to host Mermaid Echo in our family friendly Cedar Creek Park location and they were very willing to help work through those obstacles. The performance was a tremendous success with festival goers actively searching out “the live mermaid”! Festivals of Cedarburg staff are looking forward to working with Mermaid Echo and their team in 2025!“
Sarah Enwald
Festivals Manager
Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc.
Hire the tank for your event
▶ About the experience
Bring the magic of a living mermaid to your next event with “The Great Barloni,” a 750-gallon traveling tank named after Echo’s great uncle, who called himself the same name (pictured). Charlie Barlow, as he was otherwise known, did magic shows across the Midwest in the 1930’s. His father, Echo’s great grandfather, traveled with the Barnum and Bailey Circus in the heyday of vaudeville America.
This tank is named after him as a way to honor the family history, and to carry forward the mystical practice of the circus arts.
Our tank is fully insured and custom-built. Offering a mesmerizing mermaid experience. It is part vintage carnival, part underwater theatre. The spectacle is a showstopper for festivals, museums, schools, and private events.
Every performance is tailored to your audience—ranging from storytelling for kids, to silent atmospheric swimming for adult venues, to conservation-focused appearances for public engagement.
It’s more than entertainment. It’s freshwater advocacy and live theater on a trailer.
▶ Safety & Emergency Protocols
We prioritize safety above all.
- Echo is a Red Cross Lifeguard, a DAN First Aid Instructor, and a PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer
- There is always a trained tank technician on site
- We hold Performance Insurance, Inland Marine Insurance, Liability Insurance, and Divers Insurance. Please request a COI at any time
- Customized emergency protocols are drilled prior to every event
- Water is sustainably treated, filtered and returned
We encourage you to review our safety protocol document below.
▶ Set up requirements
Making magic takes planning! Here’s just a few details to get started.
- Footprint: 20’ x 20’ (includes tank + changing tent)
- Surface: Flat, firm, and dry (no swampy ground)
- Water: We ask the client to provide a water hookup. We can fill with a standard hose
- Power: Two separate 120V outlets on GFCI-protected circuits preferred
- Heating Time: 6–18 hours depending on power access
- Access: Must allow for trailer parking and vehicle removal
For full specifications, please review our Set Up Guide:
Mermaid Echo 