Eighth Annual Dixie Day A Success
NORTH WEBSTER — The weather was ideal for the eighth annual Dixie Day Festival & Art Fair, held in downtown North Webster Saturday, July 30. With temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, the temperature was perfect for a day in this small Kosciusko community.
Family friendly activities took place throughout the day, which kicked off with a 5K Fun Run-Walk at 8 a.m. from the North Webster Community Center parking lot and concluded in the North Webster Town Park on Dixie Drive. Winding through various residential areas and along Webster Lake, the race featured age categories ranging from under-12 to 70-plus.
Throughout the late morning and early afternoon, artist competed in a juried show on Pilcher’s lawn, which also included an open air market of vendors selling various wares, arts and crafts. Just down Main Street, a large variety of antiques and collectables was on display and sale. Also available throughout the festival was a variety of delicious food offerings by various vendors.
On the Mermaid Festival grounds, truck, car, motorcycle and snowmobile enthusiasts gathered for the display of vintage, as well as some more modern, machines.Taking home honors for best of show in the car division were Paul and Marilyn Campbell for their restored 1966 Jaguar.
Other category winners included Bryan Byrd in the GM division for his 1970 GTO; Josh Vetor in the Ford category with his 1995 Mustang; Dan Drabenstott in the Mopar division with his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda; John Lacheta in the Hot Rod category with his 1957 Chevy; Robert Nava in the Custom category for his 2012 Dodge Challenger; and Roy Hauth in the Collector category for his 1954 Jaguar.
In the truck category, Aurora Nava took home best of show for her 2004 Dodge Rumble Bee. Les Riemer won best of show in the motorcycle division for his 2011 Harley Trike. Other motorcycle awards included Gary Dant in the Vintage category with his 1946 Harley-Davidson; Jeff Smithworth in the American category for his 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail; and Rick Snyder in the Foreign category with his 1971 Yamaha XJ 650.
The day’s festivities concluded with a free waterskiing show put on by the popular Webster Ski Bees, which took place at 6 p.m. on Webster Lake.