Folly Beach, South Carolina – The 2025 Mermaids and Mateys event filled Folly Beach’s streets with local vendors, music, and family enjoyment, while simultaneously benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association through fundraising efforts and a share of ticket sales.
“It’s a personal thing that I’ve lost grandparents, and my fiancé has lost her father,” said Eric Sposato, an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. “So, I believe that everyone knows someone who has been affected at some point in their lives. If we can work together to find a cure, we can aid future generations.”
“Imagine encountering someone who remembers your name one day but then forgets it the next. Vanessa Charles stated, “They don’t know who you are, and they don’t realize you’re their family.”
The community showed out in their best mermaid and matey costumes, altering Folly Beach’s Center Street.
There were also plenty of family-friendly activities, such as face painting, bouncy houses, and meeting mermaids.
The Dunk Tank was a big favorite, with all earnings benefiting the Alzheimer’s Foundation, offering the festival a chance for the community to have fun while also helping the quest to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease.
“It’s always great to do community service and give back,” Dunk Tank Volunteer DJ Rich remarked. “I don’t mind taking a beating in the Dunk Tank, you know, if it’s for a good cause.”
The festival also highlighted local groups and businesses that make a difference in the community.
“As business owners, we have the opportunity to attract revenue rebels, such as during quiet times. And it’s great for these festivals because we see more residents than tourists,” said Everett White, proprietor of Folly Fossils.
The festival also brought together other local organizations, such as Surfers Healing, which teaches surfing to people with autism.
