Members of the American Legion Riders participated in the annual North Webster Mermaid Festival parade on Saturday afternoon. InkFreeNews photos by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

Wawasee alum Devin Van Lue presented the national anthem.

NORTH WEBSTER — The parade celebrating the 77th edition of the North Webster Mermaid Festival marched down Main Street under blue skies and a hot sun on Saturday afternoon.

An hour’s worth of marching bands, floats, emergency vehicles, Queen of Lakes candidates, political hopefuls, motorcycle, fancy cars and off-road toys delighted the crowd that lined both sides of the street. Candy-seeking kids did not leave with empty bags, as seemingly everyone had handfuls of goodies to share.

The parade began with the presentation of the colors by the American Legion color guard. Wawasee High School graduate and current Ball State University sophomore Devin Van Lue offered his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner to set the parade mood.

Each of the Queen of Lakes candidates offered their interpretation of the festival’s theme, “Life is Better in North Webster.” Afterward they traded their floats for their formal gowns as they made their way to the North Webster Community Center for the annual pageant.

The top three pageant-hopeful parade entries won scholarships for their float creations. The results were announced later in the day during the Queen of Lakes event. Earning first place was Bri McBrier, Mentone; followed by Gwendolyn Frank, North Webster; and Jaela Faulkner, Bourbon.