The 2014 Queen of Lakes Court are Alexis Linnemeier, first runner up, Queen of Lakes McKenna D’Arcy, Katlyn Eberley, second runner-up and Jenna Coy, third runner-up. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

By ALYSSA SCHMUCKER

The North Webster Lions Club 70th annual Mermaid Festival is rapidly approaching. One of the highlights of the festival is the Queen of the Lakes pageant. This pageant has all of the glamour, thrill and excitement of those shown on television but with local stars. The pageant is open to ladies ages 16-23.

With years of history the the title Queen of Lakes is a very special achievement that includes scholarship money. This is not your ordinary pageant, this is a fun filled day and the pageant is high powered production comparable to what you see with televised pageants.

Early bird entry fees are $100 if postmarked no later than Saturday, May 2. Entry fees after Saturday, May 2, will be $150. The application and rules can be printed from the website at http://mermaid-festival.com/ or FaceBook at “Queen of the Lakes Pageant.”

The pageant will be held on Saturday, June 27, at the North Webster Community Center, located on SR 13 in North Webster. Contestants must arrive by 10 a.m. Judges will meet with the contestants for interviews in the morning, and practice for the pageant will continue until dismissal for the parade. All contestants must participate in the Mermaid Festival parade at 4 p.m. and then participate in the pageant, which includes theme wear and formal gowns. The pageant will be at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.

The organizational and informational meeting for the pageant will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the North Webster Community Center. Park and enter on the east side of the center and look for directional signs once inside. Applications may be hand carried to this meeting. For those planning to participate, this meeting is very important as production for the contest will begin by show producer Ken Strong Productions.

The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation will provide scholarships totaling $5,000 that will be awarded to the queen and her court. The Lioness club will provide a community service award and a miss congeniality award. Queen of Lakes parade prize scholarships will be awarded by the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation and will total $1,500.