Cuties Celebrate ‘The Great Outdoors’
By Shelby Harrell
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — The 76th Mermaid Festival launched without a hitch Wednesday, June 22, as evening sunshine cast a glow upon participants of the annual cutie parade.
In keeping with the festival’s general theme for 2022, “The Great Outdoors,” children from North Webster and communities within the surrounding area demonstrated immense creativity through the designs of their walking, hand-drawn and motorized units.
A total of 70 units rolled down Main Street that evening, an increase from the 50 in last year’s event. Each participant designed their unit in a way that reflected their favorite outdoor recreational activity. Smokey the Bear made an appearance with his signature “Only you can prevent forest fires” public service announcement.
Trophies will be presented to the winners of the Cutie Parade by members of the North Webster Lion’s Club Friday, June 24, during the intermission of the Cutie Contest. First place winners of the Walking, Hand-Drawn and Motorized Units will receive an educational bond of $5,000, courtesy of The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation. Second, third and fourth place within each category will receive bonds of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.