Largest gathering of people dressed as merpeople, world record in Oscoda, Michigan

September 2, 2025

Oscoda, Michigan, United States--During Oscoda’s first Pirates and Mermaids Festival,organized by local group Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water to bring attention and education to per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in the Great Lakes, 500 people dressed as MerPeople set the new world record for the Largest gathering of people dressed as merpeople, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/Pirates and Mermaids Festival

"When 500 merpeople gathered on the sand of an Oscoda beach, not only were they celebrating creativity, community, and clean water, but the group broke a Guinness World Record," the WNEM reports.

The record was broken for the most merpeople gathered on a beach during Oscoda’s first Pirates and Mermaids Festival, held on Aug. 1-2, according to the Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water (OCCW).

"The previous record was held in the Bahamas on Nov. 8, 2022, with 457 merpeople on the beaches of Bimini, the OCCW said. Guinness World Records adjudicator Chloe McCarthy declared the victory, presenting the official plaque to Steward and OCCW president and NOW co-founder Cathy Wusterbarth."

"The festival was organized by local group Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water to bring attention and education to per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in the Great Lakes. As a part of the festivities, the group had an official Guinness record specialist on hand to count the merpeople in attendance. In the end they beat the previous record by 43 people," the WCMU reports.

"Event organizer and OCCW board member Elyssa Steward told WCMU that people from across the entire community came out to help and participate in the event.

"There were all walks of life on that beach. The varsity football players from 30 years ago all came and brought their granddaughters and all had merman tails on," Steward said. "Seeing some of the legionnaires there, from the school, from my water aerobics class. It was just so magical."

"The largest gathering of people dressed as merpeople is 500, and was achieved by Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water (USA) in Oscoda, Michigan, USA on 1 August 2025," the Guinness World Records says.

"The Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water organized the Pirates and Mermaids festival to bring awareness to PFAS, an insidious "forever chemical" polluting local waterways and sites throughout the country."

"The first Pirates and Mermaids Festival kicks off Friday and continues Saturday at Oscoda Beach Park, 201 E. River Road in Oscoda. Events are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days," the MLive.com reports.

Activities and events include a Guinness World Record attempt, vendors, performances by merpeople, pirate performances, live music, mermaid cocktails, a red-carpet gala, and kids’ activities.

"The event’s centerpiece is a large traveling mermaid tank hosting dazzling live performances and interactive photo opportunities with merfolk. Find the performance schedule here."

Oscoda Beach Park

Location: The 9.6-acre park is located on River Road on Lake Huron, about three blocks from downtown Oscoda.

Features: The park has 1,025 feet of Lake Huron frontage, a public beach, a boardwalk, a sunbathing deck, a splash pad, a basketball court, a skate park, a pavilion, a band shell, children's play equipment, picnic tables, grills, and an accessible bathhouse.

Accessibility: Much of the park is handicap accessible, including the bathhouse, parking area, and boardwalk.

Reviews: Some say the park is great for kids and adults, and that the beach is clean and beautiful."