What's Happening in Cary, NC…

What may be have been the first ‘mer-wedding’ took place at Cary’s Embassy Suites hotel pool this month.

On the evening of January 3, Cookie Ramirez, 52, and Ralph DeJesus, 65, tied the knot in aquatic fashion. No one wore a tux, although the groom did sport a sleeveless tuxedo T-shirt, black swim trunks, and swim shoes. There were, however, lots of tails. The bride wore a shiny mermaid tail and a silver bikini top, and her attendants were similarly attired.

The couple traveled to Cary from New York for the 5th annual N.C. Merfest convention. The only one of its kind in the U.S., this is a professional conference for merfolk, as well an opportunity for those who simply enjoy dressing in this way to indulge their mermaid fantasies. The conference, which is being held in Cary for the second time, also presents an opportunity for area children to swim with mermaids.

Professional merfolk can attend workshops to hone their craft, and those who are there because they enjoy dressing up in mermaid gear can don their costumes and join the professionals at the Triangle Aquatics Center. Mermaid-inspired accessories and gear is available for purchase, and likely a postcard printing service will be utilized to produce souvenirs to take home.

The three-day convention also catered to pirates, with a variety of workshops designed especially for them.