Lockeport, N.S., a small town in southwestern Nova Scotia home to 476 residents, is considering installing a mermaid statue to boost tourism and showcase its heritage. Situated about 20 kilometers off Highway 103, Lockeport is not a typical tourist hotspot, so the town’s heritage and tourism committee proposed the idea of a five-foot-tall wooden mermaid statue coated with fibreglass to attract visitors.
Craig Hillen, the town’s deputy mayor and committee chair, believes the statue could draw attention to Lockeport and encourage exploration of the town. The statue, to be crafted by a local artisan, would be placed on a rock in the ocean, with the exact location yet to be determined but not on town property. Alongside the statue, Hillen has penned a love story between a mermaid and a 19th-century fisherman, which will be available at the visitor center or online.
While Lockeport lacks direct ties to mermaid lore, Hillen points out that mermaids are part of seafaring mythology, fitting for a town surrounded by the ocean. However, some residents, including former mayor Cory Nickerson, question the relevance of a mermaid statue to Lockeport’s true heritage. Nickerson advocates for promoting the town’s authentic stories rather than introducing fictional elements like mermaids.
The proposal has sparked debate in the community, with some suggesting alternative themes for a statue, such as fishing or maritime history. Despite differing opinions, Hillen assures that the mermaid statue project is meant for amusement and welcomes community members to pursue heritage-focused projects. The statue, estimated to cost under $5,000, will be funded through donations and aims to be completed within eighteen months, offering a whimsical attraction for visitors to Lockeport.