ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Circus Siren Pod splashed down in Elmira starting Sunday morning.  

From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., people had the opportunity to take a ‘shell-fie’ with a live mermaid at Eldridge Park. Two thousand people lined up to wait their turn to meet a mermaid. Grants through community foundations helped bring their pearl diving act to the park this weekend for free.  

“The park has such an extensive history, so I thought it would be a fun fit,” Beth Clark, Executive Director of Eldridge Park, said. “It draws a good crowd.”  

The Circus Siren Pod is a group of water artists who take the circus stage underwater. The group travels around the globe providing magical underwater experiences for families. Morgana Alba, Owner of Circus Siren Entertainment, has been overjoyed by large show turnouts after two years of being absent.  

“We're thrilled to be making this magic again,” Alba said. “There's so many kids that we could've seen the last two years that are now seeing us for the first time and the crowds have been overwhelming and welcoming.”  

Kayla Keating was one mermaid greeting families at Eldridge Park. She said the water was cold this morning while diving for pearls. She loves being the driving force for kids behind a magical experience.  

“We do everything we can to make it as realistic as possible,” Keating said. “We love when they run back to mom, 'I met a real mermaid; she's real, she's real,' It's why we do it.”  

The Circus Siren Pod is looking forward next to MerMagic Con next March. More events coming to Eldridge Park this summer can be found online.