Be sure to stop by and support the North Webster Lions concession stand and other local groups, including the Wawasee Band Boosters, the Kiwanis ice cream stand and North Webster United Methodist Church’s Strawberry Festival. An ATM machine will be available on the festival grounds for your convenience. Photo provided by North Webster Lions Club.

Press Release

NORTH WEBSTER – The annual Mermaid Festival returns to North Webster Wednesday, June 22, and continues through Saturday.

While the festival didn’t officially begin until Wednesday, the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation’s annual Tournament of Champions competition began Saturday, June 18, inside the gymnasium at North Webster Elementary. Fifteen men and 15 women competed for $10,000 in scholarships by competing in 10 athletic events.

Wednesday’s fun begins with the North Webster United Methodist Strawberry Festival, which takes place from 4-7:30 p.m. on the festival grounds, 410 W. Washington St.

The B.A.J.A. midway will be open at 5 p.m., with wristbands available for $25. Merchant and food vendors also will be open for business at 5 p.m.

The always popular Cutie Parade will step off on Main Street at 6:30 p.m., with a rain date on Thursday. The Cutie Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Friday on Merlin’s Stage.

Wednesday evening activities also will include the North Webster Lions Club bicycle giveaway at 8 p.m., immediately followed by a demonstration by Lion’s Karate Academy on Merlin’s Stage at 8:15 p.m.

Merchant and food vendors, as well as the midway, will again come to life at 5 p.m. Thursday, with ride wristbands again available for $25.

Tactical Force Laser Tag will make its first appearance at the festival beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday. The free laser tag will return at 5 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday.

The Kid Davie Show will take to Merlin’s Stage at 6 p.m. Thursday, with additional performances at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Contemporary Christian band “Consider” will perform on Merlin’s Stage at 7 p.m. Thursday. Other Thursday activities include free tethered balloon rides from 7-9 p.m. and the Lake City Bank Coin Hunt at 8 p.m.

The Kid Davie Robot will be roaming the festival grounds at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, with return visits at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s schedule begins at 5 p.m. with vendors and the midway. In addition to the aforementioned activities, Inclognito Cloggers will entertain the Merlin’s Stage crowd at 7:30 p.m.

Vendors, merchants and the midway will open at noon Saturday. The popular Power Wheels Race also will begin at noon, with registration at 11:30 a.m.

The 76th Mermaid Festival Parade will step off onto Main Street at 4 p.m. Saturday so be sure to find your seats early for one of the weekend’s highlight events.

The Mermaid Festival demolition derby will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Queen of Lakes pageant also will begin at 7 p.m. at the North Webster Community Center.

Be sure to stop by and support the North Webster Lions concession stand and other local groups, including the Wawasee Band Boosters, the Kiwanis ice cream stand and North Webster United Methodist Church’s Strawberry Festival. An ATM machine will be available on the festival grounds for your convenience.

Note: the schedule is subject to change without notice. Check nwmermaidfestival.com or the Mermaid Festival Facebook page for updates.

For additional information, call the Mermaid Festival headquarters at (574) 834-4316.