These umbrellas were not to protect parade viewers from the sun, but from a down burst of rain just before the parade’s start. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Temperatures were almost 80 degrees with the humidity making it feel like 82 degrees. Many sat along the Mermaid Festival parade route under the shade of trees and buildings, while others sat under umbrellas.

Those umbrellas proved to shelter people from more than the sun as 25 minutes before the 4 p.m. start of the 69th North Webster Mermaid Festival Parade. The southern sky was turning bluer as the minutes ticked away then a rain began to fall. More umbrellas appeared and the announcement came the parade would begin 10 minutes early.

With close to 90 entries, including nine marching bands, this was the largest parade in recent years. The parade quickly moved down the route, ending 70 minutes later.

There were several special attendees or participants at this year’s event. Gladys Culver, 103, sat next to the judges stand watching the parade with son, Bart, an event she has rarely, if ever missed.

Also attending was Bernice Wiggins, 91, a World War II veteran, riding on the special American Legion float.

Entries ranged from service clubs, area businesses to political entries. All 17 Queen of Lake Contestants also participated along with several Cutie Parade winners. Wawasee High School Marching Warrior Pride was the host band with appearances by Whitko, Angola, South Side, Woodlan, East Noble, Bremen, John Glen,and Westview high school.

John Glenn, East Noble and Bremen bands took first, second and third places, respectively in the band judging.

Aarika Olenik, Miss Ridinger Lake, took first place in the queen conveyance competition followed by Katlyn Eberley, Miss Papakeechie Lake, second and Tessa Riley, Miss Webster Lake, third.

Olenik’s conveyance float included two trumpeters, cutout horses, Merlin walking beside the float, with some court jesters and the contestant waiving from her tower balcony. Following behind was a knight fighting off dragons.

Eberly’s entry was the fair maiden riding on a horse led by a night.

Riley’s entry featured a brief skit of a knight attempting to pull a sword from the stone, unfortunately it took the fair maiden, Tessa Riley to pull the sword from the stone.

As part of tradition, the outgoing North Webster Lions Club President hands over the gavel to incoming president. This year Mark Tevis, who has served as president for several years, not only handed over the gavel but also presented Mark Lawson, incoming president, with the President’s Appreciation Pin. Tevis stated he was given the pin in 1999 by then Lions Club President Keith Wilson.

Tevis noted Lawson is a rock during the Mermaid Festival, doing everything he’s asked and more. Tevis also presented Lawson with an oversized gavel to oversee the club the next year.