Dixie Day celebrates the Dixie stern wheel paddleboat on Webster Lake. (Photo provided)

Crowds browse the Dixie Day vendors. (Photo provided)

NORTH WEBSTER — The eighth annual Dixie Day Festival and Art Fair will take place all day Saturday, July 30, in downtown North Webster, along SR 13, in North Webster Town Park on the west shore of Webster Lake and at the Mermaid Festival grounds two blocks west of downtown.

North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea to honor the landmark stern-wheel paddleboat, the Dixie, with a special event and to encourage everyone to visit charming and quaint North Webster at the same time. It is always held the last Saturday in July.

Dixie Day includes a list of activities and events that continues to grow. It is a fitting salute to the Dixie, which has been in continuous summer service since 1929 churning the water of Webster Lake. A registered national landmark, she attracted more than 13,000 riders last season alone.

One of the main highlights of Dixie Day are the extra early afternoon cruises added to the Dixie schedule. Cruises will depart weather permitting at 1, 2:30, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. The last cruise features entertainment instead of narration.

Tickets are $7 per person and can be purchased at the Dixie ticket window on the north end of the Lake View Pizza King Restaurant, 405 S. Dixie Drive, 30 minutes before cruise time.

Ride the Dixie to relax, see the sights around the 640-acre lake and learn its history. Each cruise is professionally narrated.

Dixie Day features a juried art fair for local and regional artists and artisans, antique tent fair, craft, novelty, garage sale and food vendors, car truck and motorcycle show, vintage snowmobile show, water ski show and a 5K fun run and walk.

A schedule of events and a map can be picked up 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, from the North Webster Chamber of Commerce tent downtown, located at the corner of South Main Street and East Washington Street in front of The River Coffeehouse in the Pilcher Shoes castle.

For more information about Dixie Day, click here or look at the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

(Photo 1) The Dixie sternwheel paddle boat has been cruising Webster Lake since 1929. Cruises will be at 1, 2:30, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m., Saturday, July 30 during the Dixie Day Festival and Art Fair.

(Photo 2) Dixie Day Festival & Art Fair schedules and maps can be picked up between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, July 30 at the North Webster Chamber of Commerce tent in front of The River Coffeehouse in the Pilcher Shoe’s castle on SR 13 in downtown North Webster.