Ace Richcreek of Syracuse, rides his entry featuring a pirate ship and mermaids in the 2021 Cutie Parade. InkFreeNews file photo.

News Release

NORTH WEBSTER — The North Webster Lions Club is prepping for the 77th Mermaid Festival Cutie King and Queen Contest and Cutie Parade. This year’s Mermaid Festival theme is “Life is Better in North Webster”

As part of the annual tradition all children vying for either the king or queen title must participate in the Cutie Parade, which is slated from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. The rain date for the parade will be Thursday, June 22. The parade line-up will begin at 5:45 p.m. at the North Webster Church of God.

While the parade is a requirement to participate in the Cutie Pageant, the parade is open to all children under the age of 14 as of June 1. Additionally, children participating in the Cutie Parade can also participate in the festival’s general parade Saturday, June 24.

Parade entries can be hand drawn, motorized — such as golf carts or small garden tractors — or walking. Participants are also reminded to bring their confirmation letters to the parade.

The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc. will provide scholarships totaling $30,000 for the parade. Scholarships totaling $20,000 will also be provided for the pageant.

The Cutie Pageant is Friday, June 23rd, at the North Webster Community Center. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. and end at 6:45 p.m. The pageant itself promptly starts 7 p.m.

The pageant is sponsored by the North Webster Lions Club and The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation. It is open to all children between the ages of 5 and 7 as of June 1.

An admission fee of $5 for all adults and $2 for children not participating in the pageant will be charged at the gate.

Both the parade and pageant require pre-registration. Applications are available online or by calling the Mermaid Festival hotline at (574) 834-4316. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 16. No late entries will be accepted.