Casper's Alligator & Ostrich Farm

We've had quite a few requests for our sold-out Casper's Alligator Farm t-shirt so we decided to reprint it just in time for the holidays. And, to add a new twist, we've decided to print it up on a one-time only Moss Green shirt. We just picked them up from our screenprinter and they turned out amazing.

You can pick one up for yourself or the roadside attraction lover in your life over on our website here.

Here's to alligators,

Jeff & Kelly

Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside Visits: Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid Part 1

We recently caught up with someone we've long considered an honorary member of the Vintage Roadside family - the one and only Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid!

We've given presentations together on the history of mermaid and aquatic attractions at Tiki Oasis and The Hukilau and will be teaming up again for an all-new extravaganza for Modernism Week 2012. If you've ever wanted to see a comprehensive history of mermaid shows, along with vintage costumes used in those shows, vintage home movies, over 100 vintage images, followed by a finale that includes a live mermaid and fire eating performance, you'll want to be in Palm Springs on February 24th, 2012. Here's a link to tickets for this Palm Springs first.

Before we begin we would like to point out that this was the very first time we've interviewed someone wearing a bright pink gorilla costume.

Vintage Roadside: Howdy Marina! So, "Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid" - some people might not know it, but that's just one part of what you do. Can you share some of the other aspects of your professional life?

Marina: Hi Jeff & Kelly! Ah, at the risk of sounding Munchausien - here goes. I'm a licensed pilot, marine biology and physiology major, Polynesian dancer, Middle Eastern dancer, fire performer, Wadaiko (Taiko) drummer, juggler, a former yoga & kickboxing instructor, vet tech, firefighter, EMT, & zookeeper (specializing in reptiles, primates, and bats) all of which have helped in my performances in one aspect or another. My performances include: fire eating, knife juggling, laying on a bed of nails, balancing on a ladder of swords, dancing on broken plates...whew! I know I missed a few other things...I still continue to train in all sorts of different disciplines to help enhance my work. As Eartha Kitt once said: "I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."

Vintage Roadside: Wow! We're ready for a 3-day weekend to rest up after thinking about all of that. That's amazing. We've really enjoyed teaming up with you for several presentation on the history of aquatic shows. Could you tell us a bit about your favorite aquatic acts from the past?

Marina: I'm absolutely fascinated by Aquacades and the underwater shows that were put on during tourism's golden age. Back then, porthole underwater views were a lot more common and swim/dive shows would take place in many pools & even restaurants. Some shows even traveled. The idea of sitting and enjoying your dinner & cocktails while entertained by a beautiful swimmer as she dances underwater behind glass just floors me. I'm doing everything I can to make it possible for us to relive that experience.

Vintage Roadside: We love the old Aquacade shows too. Billy Rose, Sam Howard, etc. We also really enjoy talking with the people who performed at the old attractions. Have you been lucky enough to spend any time with the performers from the past?

Marina: Yes indeed! I sometimes have the honor of performing for them. They'll come up and tell me what they've done and I'll just flip to learn they were in an aquashow, or Weeki Wachee in the early years, performed underwater for an old television series, or at an attraction that no longer exists. Most seem surprised at my enthusiasm at meeting them! After so many years of it not being noticed here's a gal in a pool jumping up & down in a tail (or whatever I'm wearing at the moment) to hear more...gosh...I could listen to those stories for hours!

Vintage Roadside: We know exactly what you mean. We love hearing from them, and doing what we can to share some of their individual history. So, with that said, who are some of your inspirations?

Marina: Easy - Newt Perry, Ricou Browning, Esther Williams, Annette Kellerman, Eartha Kitt, Bruce Lee, Freddy Mercury, Ginger Stanley Hallowell, Iris Chacon, Dame Shirley Bassey, pioneer scuba diver & aqua performer, Zale Parry...just to name a few.

Vintage Roadside: Let's jump to the present and hear how that ties into a piece of history. You perform (along with your Pod) every Friday at a place with some amazing history - The Wreck Bar. Tell us a bit of the history behind The Wreck.

Marina: The Wreck Bar is a Porthole Bar located inside the Yankee Clipper Hotel which is located in Fort Lauderdale. The $1.5 million dollar hotel opened in 1956 and was built to resemble an ocean liner. The hotel was quite popular, not only due to the Wreck Bar, but also for their Polynesian Revue (pre-Mai-Kai) and became even more popular when NBC broadcast its noon and evening news from a studio on the 7th floor of the Yankee Clipper! The Wreck Bar, which was built to look like the inside of a sunken Spanish galleon, was quite large - sporting seven windows which surrounded the back of the bar. There were tables, too, as well as a stage and aquariums to enhance the underwater experience. Entertainment ranging from live music to comedy acts would take place inside along with the aquatic shows. The location has been used in television shows and films such as "Where the Boys Are", and more recently "Analyze This". 

Here's a video we shot at one of Marina's Wreck Bar performances in June 2011

Vintage Roadside: We know The Wreck went several years without "Mermaid" shows. How were you able to convince them there was still an audience for them?

Marina: It was not easy. I had approached them five years ago and suggested the idea after noticing that the bar was practically forgotten by the locals and - GASP! - empty!!! They weren't too keen on the idea at first, though they humored me with an audition. Afterward when I wrote them and asked them how they liked it they mentioned not being interested...BUT they did say I could come and use the pool to practice anytime I wanted. Soooo...I did, every week...with full makeup and "fishtail". One month later the bar began to fill up...in two months the press started to take interest and the fan base began to develop...by month three I was "hired" by the hotel. MeduSirena Swim Shows have been going ever since.

Vintage Roadside: When you perform with your pod do you have choreographed routines?

Marina: There are very few traditionally choreographed movements. Since it's a bar I wanted to keep the shows organic - more like watching a fish in a tank rather than a "stage show". That way people who return will see something different each time. There are some set pieces, opening line-up for example, or the finale. There are skits that are rehearsed too. But, for the most part, I direct as it goes, kinda like an auctioneer deploying the MeduSirena Pod of "Aquaticats" (my title for my performers) at a steady clip. We don't have air hoses, and the pool is chlorinated (our eyes will burn out after an extended period underwater) so timing is definitely of great importance.

Photo by Rick Kilby

We hope you're enjoying our visit with Marina. We'll be back mid-week with Part 2. If you can't wait you can visit Marina's website here or her Facebook page here.

And, as always you can find us hanging around our website and Facebook page.

Jeff & Kelly

Vintage Roadside Visits: Former Weeki Wachee mermaid Jo!

Some of you may know of our devotion to telling the story of the Aquamaids and Aqualads of Missouri's Aquarama - the 1960s underwater show once located at the Lake of the Ozarks. What you might not know is that we also have a huge appreciation for all of the other underwater attractions that were once located across the country. From the porthole bars of Miami to the Submarine Theater of Aquarena Springs - we love them all!

We're thrilled to present to you our first-ever interview with a former Weeki Wachee mermaid. So grab a seat next to the glass and get ready to meet Jo.

Photo courtesy of Jo

Vintage Roadside: Hi Jo! Let's start with how old you were when you started at Weeki Wachee.

Jo: I was 18 when I started a dream job as I call it! After all how many people can say that they have, or have had, a job that they loved to get up and go to and get paid to do it? I had the best boss, Genie Y. and the best trainer Susie S. ever, and may I say two of the most stunningly beautiful women I've ever seen. They were like sisters to me, I loved working with all of my mermaid sisters!!

Vintage Roadside: Any type of training people might not expect?

Jo: Most of the time we would start our days off at the ballet bar for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Vintage Roadside: What was your performance schedule like?

Jo: Our shows were as long as they are nowadays - about 45 minutes each, and we would do between 3 to 4 shows a day. Every Saturday night we had a deep dive, that was a special show as it looked totally different at night! I for one was not very fond of doing that show...LOL! The big hole was pretty scary at night and I always wondered what was beyond what we could see! Now I know it's one of the biggest cave systems in the US. Barbara W., a former mermaid has actually  been a ways into the cave - that is so awesome!

Vintage Roadside: How large was the cast when you performed there in 1967 and 1968?

Jo: It depended on the show and how many characters were in it. I'd also say there were at least 3 extra people in the water in case something went wrong with a hose or prop, etc. We had 2 amazing Water Boys (that's what they were called when I was swimming at Weeki Wachee) Allen S. and Steve K.

Photo courtesy of Jo

Vintage Roadside: Did you have a favorite routine or part you got to perform?

Jo: Now that is a big question to answer! I loved all of the parts, each and every one was so much fun to do. If I had to pick one from the Wizard of Oz routine I guess I would pick the Cowardly Lion. And in the Underwater Dreams Girls routine I'd say the Hula Girl.

Vintage Roadside: Those sound wonderful! Here's another tough one - which costume did you like better?

Jo: The Cowardly Lion costume was second only to the mermaid tail of course! LOL!

Vintage Roadside: Did you have any "famous" visitors to the show?

Jo: The highlight of my time at Weeki Wachee was meeting Miss Universe 1967 Sylvia Hitchcock. She was so pretty and sweet and she even swam a show with us! She gave me an autographed photo of herself in a bathing suit with her crown on. I still have the photo!

Photo courtesy of Jo

Vintage Roadside: We've heard stories from some of the Aquarama cast that things didn't always go as planned with the air hoses. Anything odd ever happen with yours?

Jo: We had 3 air hoses in the air tube between the Tube Room and the springs under the theater. I jump in, get to the first hose and take a breath, slowly exhale on the way to the next hose, get to it, try to turn it on - can't! Swim to the next hose - out of air! Can't turn that one on either - almost drowned my fool self! Lesson learned, never exhale all of your air!! Someone sure caught it after the show for tightening the valves too tight though!

Vintage Roadside: Wow! No wonder you still remember that. Any brushes with the local wildlife?

Jo: I once held up the show because of a snake in the Tube Room. They had to send someone down to get rid of it. I was up on the cabinet and was not coming down! I hate snakes...well to tell the truth I'm scared of them. My husband says they're more scared of me than I am of them and I say no way!

Some months later Barnacle Bill the Catfish made me late for a show. He met me between the first and second air hose in the tube and grabbed my tuxedo that I had draped over my arm. We had a tug of war going on for a while! He was the biggest catfish I had ever seen in my life but he wasn't getting my tux - I had to go do the "Puttin' on the Ritz" routine in it!

Vintage Roadside: Did you get to meet the public after your performances?

Jo: Yes I did, and that was so much fun. Even the grownups acted like kids - I loved it!

Photo courtesy of Jo

Vintage Roadside: We love the photo of you next to the wagon wheel. Was that a popular spot for photos?

Jo: Only to the photographer Claude - he used it quite often. We had another photographer named Sparky who just turned 90 this year. He was at Weeki Wachee on his birthday and he looked great! He remembers lots of things about working there too...amazing man and a sweet person!

Vintage Roadside: For some people the image they see when they think of Weeki Wachee is famous Adagio pose. It looks pretty effortless, any way it could go wrong?

Jo: The most embarrassing thing that happened to me was at the end of one of the shows myself and another mermaid were supposed to do the Adagio. I was the top half and she was the bottom half. I waited for the music cue, swam out and took my place, turned upside down and slowly began rising to the top of the water. The only problem - no bottom half! I still have no idea where my bottom half was! LOL! I got chewed out for that one. I learned another lesson - don't go anywhere without your bottom!!

Adagio with top and bottom :-)

Vintage Roadside: Do you keep in touch with any of your former cast-mates?

Jo: Yes I do. And when I go to Florida I try to arrange it so I can go to Weeki Wachee to see everyone and watch the shows. Love seeing them and catching up on what they're doing and getting a few photos too. Facebook is also a great way to keep in touch. That's even how I met you guys! :-)

Vintage Roadside: The Aquamaids and Aqualads from Aquarama have told us how much fun it is to tell people they once performed in a mermaid show. What's the reaction like when you tell people you're a former Weeki Wachee mermaid?

Jo: It's great! One of my friends (Marty) was with me as I was mermaid hunting and she told the lady at the store I was a former mermaid. The lady looked at her like she was crazy! When I found my mermaid and took it to the counter to pay for it I said this one was going on my shelf with the others next to the photo of me in my mermaid tail. The lady said "OMG, I thought she was kidding!" How do you breath? Then she wanted to hear the whole story. :-) Most of all I get the biggest kick out of hearing people try to pronounce Weeki Wachee! Lol!

Vintage Roadside: We know that the "Formers" keep quite active and even perform on a regular basis. Is there a way to keep up with what's going on?

Jo: Yes! We have an organization that you can join called Friend of Weeki Wachee Springs. There are some great benefits if you join - admission to annual member celebrations, a newsletter, invitations to members-only events and more. The organization helps raise money to support the park and is only $15 to join or $25 for a family. 

Photo courtesy of Jo

Vintage Roadside: Thank you so much Jo! It was an honor to share a bit of your mermaid history. Any final thoughts?

Jo: I would like to say that we had many talented people like Bonnie G. (who had a new show every year - now that's devotion) that worked at Weeki Wachee when I was there. I want to thank everyone that I worked with for making it the best and most memorable experience of my life! I still dream of swimming in the spring in my tail and as we say "Once a mermaid, always a mermaid!"

If you've got a question you'd like to ask Jo feel free to post it over on the Vintage Roadside Facebook page located here. Jo swims by now and then and we know she'd love to hear from you.

Jeff & Kelly

Vintage Roadside

A little of the history behind our Tiki Gardens t-shirt

We're pleased to announce the "just-in-time-for-the-holidays" release of our newest t-shirt! One of our favorite roadside attractions of the past, Florida's amazing Tiki Gardens.

Below is part of the history section we put together to go with the shirt.


"One of the most well known and successful attractions along the Florida coast was Tiki Gardens, located in Indian Rocks Beach. Owned and operated by Frank and Jo Byars, Tiki Gardens was a destination for more than 25 years drawing roughly 500,000 visitors annually at its peak.

The Byars began their march to the top of the Florida attraction world with $200.00 and Jo’s ability to craft jewelry from local shells. Building upon Jo’s creative skill and Frank’s natural ability to sell, they soon turned Byars Sea Jewels into the biggest operation of its kind. The next leap forward came when they purchased the contents of a closing gift shop and opened the Signal House gift shop and restaurant on Gulf Blvd. On the grounds of the Signal House property the Byars also built a small Polynesian garden as an added draw for visitors.

In 1962, after a fire destroyed the Signal House the Byars focused their energies on creating one of the most fabulous roadside attractions in Florida's history. Reopening in 1964, the Byars came back with an even bigger gift shop and expanded gardens. Tiki Gardens would eventually grow to 12 acres and include 10 gift shops, an “adventure trail” of grass huts, numerous statues of Polynesian gods, live peacocks, and Trader Franks, a 450 seat restaurant which also housed the Wiki Wiki Lounge."

To check out our Tiki Gardens t-shirt and to read more of the history we've posted please visit our website here.

Want to see a real mermaid? Only three more chances to catch Marina the Mermaid!

Nothing brings back the feel of 1960s roadside attractions, especially 1960s Florida, like a live mermaid show. For the past few years one of the best remaining mermaid shows could be found every Friday night in Ft. Lauderdale's Wreck Bar, located in the Yankee Clipper Hotel.

The Yankee Clipper, which has a wonderful history of live mermaids dating back to 1956, is slated to close for extensive renovations on June 1st. The fate of the Wreck Bar and the mermaid shows is uncertain at this point. What is known is that there are only three more chances to see Marina & friends perform in this historic setting.

The remaining dates for the mermaid shows are May 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Each show begins at 5:30 pm. We hope you'll take the opportunity (and your camera) to experience a true piece of roadside history before it's gone.

The Yankee Clipper and Wreck Bar is located at 1140 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.


You can read more about Marina, including her work as a fire dancer & fire eater, a belly dancer, and more at her website here.

Photos courtesy of Medusirena.

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

A little history to go with our Atomic Tunnel t-shirt

We thought it might be fun to spread some of the history we feature on the Vintage Roadside website here on our blog. To kick things off we present one of our all-time favorite roadside attractions - The "Beautiful" Atomic Tunnel, once located just south of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Home of “Happy” the Walking Fish!

One of the most interesting attractions we’ve run across is The Beautiful Atomic Tunnel. Located 7 miles south of Daytona Beach along U.S. Hwy 1, this one-time nuclear fallout shelter must have been hard to pass by.

W. R. Johnson was an entrepreneur with vision. If the cold war was not going to require the use of his fallout shelter he might as well put it to work attracting the throngs of tourists motoring through his section of the Sunshine State. Starting in the early 1950s as The Atomic Tunnel, then becoming The Tunnel of Fantasy, and lastly The Tropicolor Fantasy (“15 Years in the Making!”), Mr. Johnson had a flair for great copy. Some of the highlights from our collection of Atomic Tunnel memorabilia proudly proclaim the following tourist temptations:

• Happy the walking fish.
• Smokey the photogenic monkey.
• Mac the macaw ready to pose for a “memory shot.”
• “Man eating piranha imported directly to the Atomic Tunnel from the Amazon”. These fish could “reduce a human being to a skeleton in 3 seconds!”
• Plants used by witch doctors for rituals.
• A 16^th century Turkish monk's chamber.
• An orchid room where you could meet a beautiful orchid queen.
• Rare small mice that dance, walk and spin.

The Atomic Tunnel had everything you could want in a roadside attraction. It’s no wonder Mr. Johnson billed his establishment as “Florida’s Biggest Little Attraction”.

If you would like to see more, including a postcard of the Orchid Room please visit our Atomic Tunnel page located here.

Special thanks to Ken Breslauer for help with our research.

We're always looking for more history to present with each of the businesses we feature so please let us know if you have any memories, stories, souvenirs or photos of these wonderful places.