The Dixie Day Festival celebrates the Dixie boat touring the waters of Webster Lake, North Webster, since 1929. Many events will be held in its honor from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, July 28 in downtown North Webster on SR 13. (Photo provided)

NORTH WEBSTER — The tenth annual Dixie Day Festival & Artisan Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 28, in downtown North Webster along SR 13, in North Webster Town Park and at the Mermaid Festival Grounds, two blocks west of the downtown stoplight.

North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce hosts the festival to honor the national landmark, sternwheel paddle boat, the Dixie, with a special event. It also encourages everyone to visit the North Webster area and its beautiful lakes.

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.n for the festival as well as the regular evening cruises at 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m.

Dixie Day Festival is a dream come true with a list of activities and events that continue to grow. The festival features a juried arts and crafts fair for local and regional artist to sell their works on Pilcher Shoes lawn, an antique tent, novelty, direct sales and food vendors lining the downtown streets, a car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show on West Washington Street, a vintage snowmobile show at the Mermaid Festival Grounds and a sanctioned 5K run and walk beginning at 8 a.m. at the North Webster Community Center and ending at the Dixie boat.

A hit in 2017 was the boat show that coincided with the festival. It will be held from noon to 6 p.m., Friday, July 27 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 28 at the Mermaid Festival Grounds, West Washington and Blaine streets.

A free schedule of events and a map can be picked up the day of the festival from the North Webster Chamber of Commerce information tent at the corner of South Main and East Washington streets in front of The River Coffeehouse in the Pilcher Shoes castle.

There is no admission charge for the festival. Free parking for most festival events is behind the North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main St. or on nearby streets.

The 1.25-hour cruise on the Dixie of Webster Lake is just $7. Buy your ticket at the Dixie window on the north end of Lake View Pizza King at North Webster Town Park, 403 S. Dixie Drive. There is free parking across the street from the park and around the corner behind Dixie Haven Resort off East Himes Street. Cruise times on Saturday, July 28 are 1, 2:30, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m.

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 & Artisan Fair, visit www.northwebster.com or check the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. 5K and vendor applications of all types are available online.