Moderator: Tanja

Panelists: Ruby, & TBA
Time: Friday Feb 23rd, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Maplewood YMCA, Main Event Hall

Access Level: Included

Come learn all about the basics of what will and won't work in the world of underwater; from make-up to costuming, our panelists will offer expert advice and weighs in with their recommendations. We will keep a live document running during the panel and post our panelists top recommendations for you to the event QR page for you to access later.

Instructor: Lindsey, aka Mermaid Lux

Time: Friday Feb 23rd, 6:00-7:00pm

Location: Main Event Hall

Access Level: Included

Come learn the basics of drawing your mer-self with an experienced artist in the mermaid community, Mermaid Lux! You've seen her .GIF everywhere, now come learn from the creator herself!

Host: MNMerCon Team

Time: Sat & Sun, (8/9-12)

Location: Main Room - Coffee Cove Corner

Access Level: Included

Join your fellow MerCon go-ers for a cup of coffee as we all begin to arrive and get settled before Welcome & Announcements, or hang out and relax. Network. Chat. Chill. This social space is meant to offer varying levels of relaxing as well as serve as a quiet zone in the midst of the shenanigan's.

Earn your PADI Basic Mermaid certification at the 2024 “Minnie” MerCon in Maplewood, MN. Classes are $200, taught by award winning PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Echo.

Date: 2/24 & 2/25
Location: Maplewood, MN & St.Paul, MN
Cost: $200
Duration: 4 hours total (3 hrs in water, 1 hr in classroom)
What: a 1-day introductory course featuring a knowledge development session and a confined water session.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to confidently swim 25m and float for 3 minutes unassisted.

Snag a spot at mermaidecho.com, registration closes on Feb. 9th at 11:59pm. I can’t wait to sea you there! 

Visit our PADI website for more information on the course itself.

Instructor: Sophia of Shivering Siren Studios
Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 6:30-7:30pm
Location: Main Event Hall

Access Level: Included
Sophia's session with us will include:

• Helpful Handout 

• Meditation exercise 

• Q&A Session 

Come learn the basics, tips, and tricks from our special guest underwater photographer!​

Instructor: Kelly Jo

Time: Saturday, Feb 24 2:30-5:00pm

Location: Maplewood YMCA, Small Classroom

Access Level: Included

Pop into the workshop and spend some time working on that costume that has been sitting for...well....forever! A cozy crafting space will be set up where you can come work on costuming, and Kelly Jo will be hanging out offering help and advice to those needing it. We will have a small assortment of supplies avl for you to borrow from or donate towards, but please plan to supply most of what you will need yourself. You do NOT have to have taken the lecture to participate, all are welcome who want to come make things.

Instructor: Anastaisha
Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 7:30pm
Location: Maplewood YMCA, Main Hall
Access Level: NOT Included
**Additional $35 fee + separate registration required**  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
We've taken the traditional paint-and-sip party concept and adapted it accommodate our environment:...how Siren of us!
The current painting consideration is shown below. Anastaisha has been leading paint-n-sip events for several years, performs with the NewBourne Village Mermaid Grotto, and is a member of the local MN MerFolk Pod!

Moderator: Tanja

Panelists: Allie, Kelly

Time: Sunday Feb 25th, 11:00am
Location: Great River Water Park, St.Paul - TBD

Access Level: Included

Having an experienced assistant in FEET can make or break an event; come hear about why and how having a dedicated "foot crew" can not only benefit you but also help you be a safer and stronger mermaid. We will discuss varying types of mermaid care, adapting to the environment, safety standards, and make time for Q & A with our panel of experienced Mer-keepers.

Host: Tanja & SeaQuest Roseville

Time: Friday Feb 23rd, 7:30-10:30pm
Location: SeaQuest Roseville

Access Level: NOT Included **Additional $25 fee + separate registration required**

Thanks to a VERY generous agreement with a local aquarium, we are able to host a big fun evening Social event like the larger MerCons!
Check in starts at 7:30pm, and our Adventure will include:
- Zoo Admission ( $20 value)
- Zoo Tour 
- Backstage Tour (special for us!)
- Q & A session with staff and on site Vet Tech
( this is not offered to the public, just for us!)
- Animal interaction choices ($10-$40 value)
- Animal enrichment activities ($5-$20 value)
- Seaside Snack Stations
- 1 annual pass ($40 value) which includes:
     - 1 yr unlimited free admission
     - free birthday interaction (up to $70 value)
     - one free guest pass 
     - discounts on admission, interactions,
        parties & events, tokens, and the gift shop

Instructor: Tanja 
Time: Sat 9am, Sun 10am
Location: Sat - Main Hall, Sun - 0 depth pool
Access Level: Included

*Please bring a yoga mat or towel with you*

Come join us Sat & Sun morning for a nice slow wake up stretch series designed to help us start to wake up our bodies and get ready for the full day ahead! We will include multiple stretches and poses which you might find helpful to add into your pre-merswim routine!
Tanja is a certified yoga instructor who focouses on mindful movement and deep relaxation within your stretching practice.
 

Instructor: Mer Echo

Time: Saturday, Feb 24 10:30-11:30am

Location: Maplewood YMCA, Main Event Hall

Access Level: Included

• Building a better business online: a need to know social media tutorial for business-owning merfolk 

Instructor: Tarah

Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 1:15-2:15pm
Location: Maplewood YMCA, Main Event Hall

Access Level: Included

Communication is such an important part of what we do both as humans AND as mermaids. Come learn some basic signs, practice them within a safe space, and learn ways knowing some sign language can help benefit you both out of AND IN the water.

Instructor: Kelly Jo

Time: Saturday, Feb 24 1:15pm

Location: Maplewood YMCA, Small Classroom

Access Level: Included

Come learn tips and tricks for making your own mer top from Kelly Jo, a local costumer who has been making local merfolk &  bellydance costuming for decades! We will provide examples of various types of tops, discuss when & where they work best, talk about the logistics of water wear, and offer some advice on construction.

Instructor: Tanja 
Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 6:30-7:30pm

Location: Maplewood YMCA, Small Classroom

Access Level: Included

Working with kids and crowds can be tough! Come chat with a 20 year veteran performer about tips, tricks, & simple talk to help you connect with your audience while still maintaining the magic; especially when the questions start to get tough.

Host: MNMerCon
Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 7:30-10:30pm

Location: Maplewood YMCA

Access Level: Included

After a long day and weekend so far, we thought it might be nice to slow things down and have some time to be social, be silly, and build some community.
So get comfy! Put on your favorite onesie, kirigumi, or other rated G pajamas and come join the party! Play mermaid games, color your mersona for the mural, catch a reading of the original little mermaid story, participate in the costume contest (group vote for best pajamas!), enjoy some tasty treats, or just sit around and take it all in! Our hope is that this feels much like a slumber party with your besties; safe & silly.

Photographer:
Sophia of Shivering Siren Studios

Time: Various

Location: Maplewood YMCA or G.R.W.P. St.Paul

Access Level: NOT Included **Additional fee$ & separate registration required**
CLICK HERE to Register.

Book a photoshoot with our special guest photographer and lecturer!
Sophia comes to us with a strong portfolio and multiple glowing recommendations, but spots are going fast! So book early if you know you want to work with her and help us show her how excited we are to have her join us!