Una the Mermaid is a professional mermaid entertainer who will greet you with a warm “shello.” Since 2012, she has been bringing magic and entertainment to spectators across the Pacific Northwest with dry land encounters, pool parties, and live underwater shows in her one-of-a-kind traveling mermaid tank! Besides bringing out the inner child in us all as a mermaid, she is a PhD-holding community organizer and activist who has been working as a prison-based educator for 12 years and counting.
When asked what a perfect day in Portland looks like for her, Una says, “When it is sunny and warm out, the roses are in bloom, and I get an opportunity to dip and splash my fins in the fountain at the Peninsula Park Rose Garden. The smell of the flowers, the rainbow sea of color, the butterflies, the rainbows arching over the water spray of the fountain, and the sound of laughter and cheer as families splash in the summer sun! It is also fun to surprise people when they discover a mermaid lounging in this magical and serene setting!”
A few of Una’s favorite places to eat, drink, and shop:
Island Cafe – 250 NE Tomahawk Island Dr #22, Portland, OR 97217
“For mermaid eats, I like this floating restaurant on the marina serving casual American dishes like burgers and seafood baskets. The atmosphere cannot be beat, and it is a great place to always feel like you are away on vacation! The restaurant sits on a floating dock with grass roof coverings with a lovely view of the river and floating home communities. They have a wide variety of beverages at the bar including an array of the tropical fruity classics. It is not unusual for people in boats to pull right up to the restaurant dock to come and eat. They have Jimmy Buffet playing in the background so it is a total island vibe.”
The Happy Mermaid – 250 NE Tomahawk Island Dr D-17, Portland, OR 97217
“Right next to the Island Cafe is the Happy Mermaid, a mermaid themed gift shop on the water! They have a delightful array of super-cute, unique, and fun gifts: stunning yet affordable jewelry, comfy and gorgeous apparel perfect for vacation, all kinds of beach and nautical goodies, overall just HAPPY gifts, and of course, lots of mermaids!”
Village Merchants – 4035 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
“My place to find hidden treasures! (You can also sell your items there too.) This is an amazing second hand store with a bit of everything such as clothes, antiques, art, housewares, and collectibles.”
New Renaissance Bookshop – 1338 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
“We merfolk are very mystical and magical beings! No list of favorite places would be complete without listing one of the best metaphysical stores in town. New Renaissance has EVERYTHING, including: books, crystals, candles, jewelry, self-care products, ritual supplies, oils, meditation tools, music, and more. They also host speaking and reader events.”
Want to see Una the Mermaid in action?
Una hosts an annual Portlandia Mermaid Parade & Festival in summer along the downtown Portland Waterfront. It is a fun, free, and inclusive event for all ages, body types, orientations, and identities. So grab your shells and tails and join the mermaid parade!
Una also performs in live interactive mermaid tank shows city-wide. She will be performing in the tank every weekend during the month of October for the Spirit of Halloween Town event in St. Helens, Oregon!
Follow Una at the links below: unathemermaid.com • facebook.com/unathemermaid • @una_the_mermaid • @unathemermaid1
