Meet the ‘Water Cannon Couple’ of Mystic River Falls

“Doesn’t our world need more humor and harmless fun,” asks Charlie Wren.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis can be challenging, but for his wife Erin Wren of Marshfield, MO, it’s all about finding joy in the simple things. Alongside her husband, Charlie, Erin has discovered a unique way to have fun and stay positive despite her diagnosis—stationed by the water cannons at Mystic River Falls in Silver Dollar City. 

You may have noticed them stationed by the ride with a baggie of coins for the water cannons. Maybe you’ve even felt the splash from their unconventional “therapy.” The regular “meet-up,” they say, keeps them smiling and keeps their marriage strong.

“We’re here almost every weekend,” Erin smiles as she loads another coin into the cannon. “It’s just so fun to watch people smile and hear their squeals when we get them good!”

They get lots of folks good! The Wrens stay stationed by the cannons from open to close, sometimes a few days a week and spend about $100 on coins during each visit.

Worth every penny,” he says as he splashes a raft of unsuspecting riders. “It’s just good, old-fashioned fun. It keeps us all young!”

“Our baggie is a bargain because you can’t really put a price on what this does for our spirits,” Erin adds. “I just love this!”

"But do the riders love this? The Wrens figure folks don’t mind getting wet since they are adventurous enough to take on Mystic River. They love hearing riders shout, “Get me! Get me!” Erin says there’s one type of rider, though, who is off-limits for an extra soaking courtesy of the cannons.

“Crying kids! I won’t ever squirt a crying kid!

Erin and Charlie have a soft spot for children and happily share coins with little ones who want to play along.

“We don’t ever want to hog all the fun,” Erin laughs. “We even pass out coins to folks then go ride ourselves so they can squirt us!”

The Wrens have only missed a few weekends this summer when Erin had shingles. A year and a half ago, however, a different medical issue inspired their water cannon connection in the first place.

“I have MS which gets me down a lot,” she says. “Some days, I don’t even feel like getting off the couch. Investing in this joy gets me off the couch and gets me in a good mood. My hope is that everyone can find something simple that brings them so many smiles!”