One of the highlights during the annual Mermaid Festival in North Webster is the parade, held at 4 p.m. the last day of the festivities. Among parade entries are a float with current royalty and royalty from 10 years ago. (File Photo)

It’s time again for beautiful queens, adorable cutie children, great food, rides and family enjoyment at the annual North Webster Mermaid Festival, June 24-27.

The 70th annual event is sponsored once again by the North Webster Lions Club, and provides four days of community-focused activities and entertainment.

Pre-festival activities will include the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Tournament of Champions, which takes place the morning of June 20. Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners will offer a fish fry later that day, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Camp Crosley. Then at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, a North Webster Community Center/Mermaid Festival co-ed beach volleyball tournament kicks off. The competition will continue through Saturday at the center.

The festival itself gets underway Wednesday, June 24, with the opening of the midway, merchant tents and food at 1 p.m. The always-popular Cutie Parade takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street: Be sure to get a seat early to catch all the adorable-ness.

Back at the festival grounds on the corner of Blaine and West Washington streets in downtown North Webster, catch entertainment by Vocal Power Academy, which performs on Merlin’s Stage from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; or United, which goes on from 8 p.m.-10 p.m.

Thursday is dollar day on the midway, which opens at 5 p.m. along with merchant tents and food vendors. The sixth annual Fireman’s Challenge starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Demo Derby Track; and children can enjoy presentations by Law Twister with LDRD throughout the evening. Merlin’s Stage will host Kelsey’s School of Dance at 7 p.m. and Astound Dance Academy at 8 p.m.

The annual Cutie Pageant is the big event on Friday, June, 26: but it isn’t the only thing going on at the Mermaid Festival that day. The pageant takes place at the North Webster Community Center at 7 p.m.; but earlier, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., the North Webster Church of the Brethren Tenderloin Dinner will be offered at the church, located at 7281 E. 600N. A corn hole tournament takes place on the midway, and a kids comedy magic show happens at 6:30 p.m. The kids will also want to be at the North Webster Lions Club bicycle giveaway at 7:45 p.m., and performing at 8 p.m. on Merlin’s Stage will be the Hotline. The midway opens on Friday at 5 p.m.

Saturday, the last day of the festival, is crammed full of fun. At 1 p.m. the midway, merchant and food vendors open, and that’s also the start time of a Power Wheels competition. Several children’s magic and game shows follow.

At 4 p.m. another favorite community event hits the streets: the 70th annual Mermaid Festival Parade. Led by 2015 Grand Marshall First Sgt. Jacob Gilmer, the parade will travel down Main Street beginning at 4 p.m. and include cuties, queen contestants and many other participants from around the lakes region.

In the evening a roller derby featuring the Lake City Roller Dolls will start at 6 p.m., followed by a demolition derby at 7 p.m. Also at 7 p.m. a dozen or so beautiful young women will gather at the NWCC for the Queen of Lakes pageant. Back on Merlin’s stage, festivalgoers will be treated to a Lions Karate demonstration at 7 p.m. and a performance by Basketcase at 8 p.m.

The midway remains open until 10 p.m. all four days.

For more information on Mermaid Festival events call (574) 834-4316 or visit the website.