Tents lined the lawn in front of Pilcher’s in downtown North Webster for the ninth annual Dixie Day craft and artisan fair.

NORTH WEBSTER — The ninth annual Dixie Day Festival sponsored by the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce proved to have sunny skies and boatloads of people come out to enjoy the food, cars and sales.

The Dixie boat was running its cruises around Webster Lake throughout the day while visitors were able to do some shopping in downtown North Webster.

Vendors were set up in front of the North Webster Community Center as well as in front of Pilcher’s. One could find everything from kettle corn to handmade soap to purses and clothing in the artisan and craft tents. North Webster Public Library also had books and CDs out for their library book sale on the lawn in front of the community center. North Webster Chamber of Commerce had volunteers manning the information tent on Pilcher’s lawn to hand out pamphlets and brochures about the festival.

Across the street a variety of food vendors were available for all those who worked up an appetite. The North Webster Lions were selling hamburgers and pork burgers. Local businesses were selling pizza, chicken, taco salad and tenderloin sandwiches, just to name a few options on the menu.

The Heart of the Lakes antiques tent sale held a plethora of items from furniture to toys next to their store.

On the Mermaid Festival grounds one could find rows of boats for sale along with antique snowmobiles in the merchant building.

North Webster Kiwanis also had chocolate, vanilla and swirl ice cream for sale in the merchant building at the Mermaid Festival grounds.

Sue Ward and Jim Smith awarded Ed Boggs the first place People’s Choice tractor award.

Cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles were lined up down Washington Street for the annual car show. The People’s Choice first place tractor winner was Ed and Tammy Boggs, Warsaw, with their International Harvester 1973 1468. The People’s Choice second place tractor winner was Chuck Marshall, Leesburg, with his 1962 Oliver. The People’s Choice third place tractor winner was Mike Walther, Sidney, with his 1950 Farmall M.

For the car, motorcycle and truck show the best overall winner of a plaque and $500 was M. Hollar, Cromwell, with his 1969 Chevy Camaro Yenko. He also won Best Collector Car. The People’s Choice winner was John and Kathy Cole, Warsaw, with their 1977 Chevy Camaro. They also won Best Custom Car.

The winner of Best Mopar was Kurt Engler, Warsaw, with his 1969 Dodge Charger. Best Truck went to Cathy and Crist Blassaras, Syracuse, with their 1941 Willy’s. Best Ford was awarded to Steve Hursey and his 1932 Ford Hot Rod. Cindy Baugher, Cromwell, won Best GM with her 1980 Chevy Corvette. Dan Rex, Albion, took home the Best Hot Rod trophy with his 1967 Chevy Nova II. For motorcycles, Best American went to Mark Neal and his 2010 Harley. Winner of Best Foreign bike was given to Rick Snyder, Warsaw, and his 1982 Honda. Gary Dant, Cromwell, won the Best Vintage bike award with his 1946 H/D EL.