Zane Grady, son of Curtis and Angie Grady, and Harper Vetor, daughter of Darrell and Acacia Vetor, were crowned the 2021 Mermaid Festival Cutie King and Queen tonight, Friday, June 25, in North Webster. InkFreeNews photos by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart

Staff Writer

NORTH WEBSTER — Zane Grady, son of  Curtis and Angie Grady, and Harper Vetor, daughter of Darrell and Acacia Vetor, were crowned the 2021 Mermaid Festival Cutie King and Queen tonight, Friday, June 25, in North Webster.

This year’s competition had 16 girls and 13 boys competing for the title. Phil Metcalf was the emcee for the night.

Also winning were: first runner-ups, Brantley Jasso, son of Nathaniel and Kayla Jasso, and Mariah Williams, daughter of Chase Williams and Amy Pavel.

The second runner-ups were Gavin Jasso, son of Nathaniel and Kayla Jasso, and Amelia (Millie) Shoemaker, daughter of Curt and Amanda Shoemaker.

The third runner ups were: Kole Kreider, son of Tayler and Kelli Kreider, and Brystal Bower, daughter of Joel and Rachal Bower.

Cutie Parade winners were also announced for each of the three divisions: walking, hand drawn and motorized.

There were 23 walking units.

Winning the walking category were: first place, Amelia (Millie) Shoemaker, daughter of Curt and Amanda Shoemaker of  Pierceton; third place, Kenlee Grady, son of Matt and Wendy Grady; Kole Kreider, son of Tayler and Kelly Kreider of South Whitley; fourth place, Oskar Moreno-Elst, the son of Ignacio and Katie Moreno-Elst, Detroit, Mich.

The hand-drawn category had 15 entries.

Winning the hand-drawn category were: first place, Remington Nabinger, daughter of Trent and Nicole Nabinger of North Webster; second place, JD Kimmell, son of Sam and RaeAnne Kimmel of Green Castle; third place, Nilah Moreno-Elst, daughter of Ignacio and Katie Moreno-Elst, Detroit, Mich.; and fourth place, Valerie Vallejo, the daughter of Karlie Velaszuez-Stump of Pierceton.

There were 13 motorized units.

Winners in the motorized category were: first place, Ellie Kopkey, daughter of Nick and Holly Kopkey of North Manchester; second place, Zane Grady, son of Curtis and Angie Grady of Syracuse; third, Amelia Beer, daughter of Jason and Whitney Beer of Milford, and fourth place is Ace Richcreek, son of Adam and Abbi Richcreek of Syracuse.

Winners from the Cutie Parade and Cutie King and Queen Contest received trophies and educational bonds. First place winners received $5,000; second place $2,500; third place $1,500 and fourth place $1,000.

Also present at this year’s contest were: Meghan Beer, of Nappanee, the 2019 Queen of Lakes, and 2019 Cutie Queen Brynn VanLaeken, and 2019 Cutie King Oskar Moreno-Elst.

The 2021 King and Queen Cutie Contest was held Friday, June 25, in North Webster. There was 29 contestants.

The 2019 King and Queen winners were present at tonight’s pageant. Pictured are King Oskar-Moreno-Elst and Queen Brynn VanLaeken, and emcee Phil Metcalf.

Contestants Zane Grady, Jensen Lovely, and JD Kimmell wave to the judges at the Cutie King and Queen  contest Friday, June 25.

Cutie King and Queen contestants shine for the judges at this year’s Mermaid Festival.

The 2021 Cutie King and Queen Court are Kole Kreider, Gavin Jasso, Brantley Jasso, 2019 Cutie King Oskar Moreno-Elst, 2021 Cutie King Zane Grady, Cutie Queen Harper Vetor, 2019 Cutie Queen Brynn VanLaeken,  Mariah Williams, Amelia Shoemaker, and Brystal Bower.

Pictured are the 2019 King Oskar Moreno-Elst, the 2021 King Zane Grady, the 2021 Cutie Queen Harper Vetor, and 2019 Cutie Queen Brynn VanLaeken.