From left, Tom and Carrie Hughes walk with Hannah Hughes in their Star Wars themed outfits during the 2015 Cutie Parade. (File photo)

NORTH WEBSTER — The annual Mermaid Festival Cutie Parade will be held on Wednesday, June 22, with the rain date being Thursday, June 23. The parade and festival theme for 2016 is Indiana Bicentennial.

The scholarship money for the winners of the first through fourth place winners of the three different categories is provided by the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc. This scholarship fund was put into place by J. Homer Scoop, who died May 21, 1991. Without the generosity of the foundation, the Cutie Parade might be only a memory today.

As it is, memories are still being created each year by the participants who are excited to walk in the parade. Many adults grew up enjoying the parade as children and have come back each year to allow their own children to participate in the event. It is one of the most enjoyed activities of the Mermaid Festival.

The parade is sponsored by the North Webster Lions Club, North Webster Lioness Club and Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration for the parade was required by June 15.

During the intermission of the Cutie Contest on Friday, June 24, the following educational bonds will be awarded for the three parade categories of Hand Drawn Unit, Motorized Unit and Walking Unit: first place, $5,000; second place, $2,500; $1,500; and fourth place, $1,000.

Participation trophies will be distributed to the parade participants at the Mermaid Festival grounds after the Cutie Parade.

More information can be found at the Mermaid Festival Facebook page, or by calling (574) 834-4316.