2016 Queen of Lakes, Kierstin Bailey, and three runners-up behind her (from left), Hannah Parker, Ashley Sayler and Audie Parsons.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Lions Club 72nd annual Mermaid Festival is rapidly approaching. The festival theme this year is “Story Book Land.” One of the highlights of the festival is the Queen of Lakes Pageant. The pageant has all the glamour, thrill and excitement of those shown on television but with many local stars. The pageant is open to ladies ages 16-23. This is a fun filled day for the contestants with a professional production to crown the Queen of Lakes and award scholarships.

In preparation for the pageant, an informational meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at Ken Strong Production Studio located at 1700 Kimal Trail, Warsaw. Contestants will be filmed while presenting their information to be played while walking the runway. Contestants are encouraged to bring a legal guardian or family support person to the meeting.

The Queen of Lakes Pageant will be held Saturday, June 24, at the North Webster Community Center located on SR 13 in North Webster. Contestants must arrive by 10 a.m. Judges will meet with the contestants for interviews in the morning and practice for the pageant will continue until dismissal for the parade at 3 p.m. All contestants must participate in the Mermaid Festival Parade to be held at 4 p.m. and then participate in the Queen of Lakes Pageant, which includes theme wear and formal gowns at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium of the North Webster Community Center.

Entry fees are $100 if received no later than Saturday, May 6. Entry fees received after May 6 will be $150. Final date to enter is Friday, June 2. The applications and rules can be printed from the North Webster Lions Club website at http://www.mermaid-festival.com/ then select applications or face book at “Queen of Lakes Pageant.”

The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation, Inc scholarships awarded to the Queen of Lakes and her Court will total $5,000 as follows: Queen, $2,000; first runner up, $1,500; second runner up, $1,000; third runner up, $500. The foundation will also provide scholarships for queen’s conveyances as follows: first place, $750; second place, $500; and third place, $250.

Because of the Lady Lions strong support for community projects, a Community Service Award in the amount of $100 will be presented by the organization. A Congeniality Award will also be presented based on votes by contestants. The Theme Wear Award will be determined based on donations collected for each of the contestants