Gathered outside the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce office is the 2019 Dixie Day Festival Committee. The festival will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, July 27, in downtown North Webster along SR 13, west Washington Street, Mermaid Festival Grounds and North Webster Town Park. From left, are Linda Land, Lake-Land Cottages; Tammy Waliczek, Dixie Haven Resort; Cochairman Mindy Scaggs, Re/Max-Lakes; Emily Shipley, Todd Realty; President Jim Smith, Loose Moose Motor Sports; Karilyn Metcalf, Dixie Sternwheeler Inc.; and Cochairman Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations Floral & Gifts. Not present was Paula Miller, Paula Miller Farms. (Photo by Martha Stoelting)

NORTH WEBSTER — The 11th annual Dixie Day Festival will be held all day, Saturday, July 27, in downtown North Webster along SR 13, west Washington Street, North Webster Town Park and at the Mermaid Festival Grounds, two blocks west of the downtown stoplight. The festival draws between 4,000 to 5,000 people annually. It is widely advertised throughout the regional area and the state as well as locally.

Most events are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The 5K will begin at the Dixie boat at 8 a.m. Registration starts 6:45 a.m. The Dixie is docked in North Webster Town Park, 403 S. Dixie Drive.

North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce hosts the festival to honor the landmark sternwheel paddleboat, the Dixie, with a special event. It also encourages everyone to visit North Webster and enjoy the quaint town and lakes. The entire festival is run by volunteers.

The Dixie boat has been cruising Webster Lake every summer since 1929 and attracted more than 13,000 riders last season. Extra Dixie cruises will be added at 1 and 2:30 p.m., Saturday of the festival as well as the regular Saturday evening cruises 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. The last cruise is a special twilight tour. Cost to ride the Dixie is $7. Bring some extra money for concessions.

The Dixie Day Festival features a juried arts and crafts show, antique tent, novelty, direct sales and food vendors, a car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show, a vintage snowmobile show and a sanctioned 5K run and walk.

The boat show has proven to be a big hit with the Dixie Day Festival crowd. It is an area dealer boat show with many models on display. It will be held at the Mermaid Festival grounds on west Washington Street from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 26 and July 27.

A free schedule of events and a map can be picked up Saturday, July 27, from the North Webster Chamber of Commerce information tent at the corner of Main and Washington streets in front of The River Coffeehouse in the Pilcher Shoe’s Castle.

Visit the charming and friendly local shops and restaurants while you are in town. Come back to enjoy all that North Webster and the surrounding area have to offer anytime. For more information on the Dixie Day Festival, visit www.northwebster.com or check the chamber Facebook page. Vendor, 5K and car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show applications are available on the website and updates will be added to the Facebook page as they occur.

There is no admission charge to the festival. Free parking is available behind the North Webster Church of God, 306 N. Main St.

For those taking a Dixie cruise, free parking is available in the lot across from North Webster Town Park and the one behind Dixie Haven Resort, 338 E. Himes St.

The Dixie Day Festival is always held the last Saturday in July each year.