79th Annual Mermaid Festival Cruises Down Main Street
The American Legion of North Webster started off the Mermaid Festival parade Saturday, June 21. InkFreeNews photos by Phoebe Muthart.
By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — The parade celebrating the 79th annual North Webster Mermaid Festival cruised down Main Street under bright blue, sunny skies, but hot and humid weather, Saturday, June 21.
About an hour’s worth of area marching bands, floats, emergency vehicles, Cutie Court, Queen of Lakes contestants, motorcycles, Jeeps and vintage cars delighted the crowds that lined both sides of the streets.
The parade began with the presentation of the colors by the North Webster American Legion Post 253 color guard. Three men performed the national anthem to set the parade mood.
Each of the Queen of Lakes contestants offered their interpretation of the festival’s theme, “Circus Under the Big Top” with their float entries.
Afterward, contestants traded their floats for formal gowns as they made their way to the North Webster Community Center to compete for the crown. Ava Weldy of Syracuse was ultimately crowned 2025 Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes Saturday night.
The top three pageant-hopeful parade entries won scholarships for their float creations, provided by Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation, Inc. Scholarships ranged from $250 to $750 and will be applied to the winner’s higher education.
Earning first place in the parade were Miss Papakeechie Lake, Jaclynn Worrell; Miss Webster Lake, Zaylee Guy, earned second place; and third place was Ava Weldy, Miss Shoe Lake.
The North Webster American Legion float.
A circus-themed float.
Miss Beaver Dam Lake Jordyn Leininger was awarded second runner up in the Queen of Lakes contest, held later that night.
The Wawasee High School band.
Mermaid Cutie King and Queen are Bexley Oneal and Ella Warren.
Matt Murdock, David Wisler and Chris Adamson played patriotic music, the national anthem, at the beginning of the parade.
Queen of Lakes contestant Jaclynn Worrell’s float one first place that night at the pageant.
Kendell Jaress, Miss Syracuse Lake, was a contestant in the Queen of Lakes pageant later that night.