2023 Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes Jaela Faulkner is seated, surrounded by her court, from left, Bri McBrier, Janna Tausch and Chloe Bollinger. InkFreeNews photos by Keith Knepp.

News Release

NORTH WEBSTER — The North Webster Lions Club 78th annual Mermaid Festival is rapidly approaching. On Saturday, June 22, one of the highlights of the festival will be the Queen of Lakes Pageant, sponsored by the North Webster Lions Club.

The pageant has all the glamour, thrill and excitement of those shown on television.

The pageant is open to ladies ages 15-23. With years of history, the title of Queen of Lakes is still a very prestigious achievement that includes scholarship money.

Registration fees are $150. All registrations must be received by June 1.

The applications and rules may be printed from the North Webster Lions Club website under “Applications.” Information is also available on Facebook at Queen of the Lakes Pageant.

The Queen of Lakes Pageant will be held Saturday, June 22, at the North Webster Community Center located on SR 13 in North Webster.

Contestants must arrive by 10 a.m. All contestants must participate in the Mermaid Festival parade to be held at 4 p.m. and then in the Queen of Lakes Pageant. They will be judged on “The American Dream” theme wear and formal gowns at 7 p.m. in the NWCC gymnasium.

The organizational/informational meeting for the pageant will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Ken Strong Productions in Warsaw.

The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc., will provide scholarship certificates totaling $5,000, which will be awarded to the Queen of Lakes and her Court to be applied to their college education. The Lady Lions will provide a $100 Community Service Award and a Miss Congeniality Award. Queen of Lakes parade prize scholarships awarded by the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc., will total $1,500.

Organizational meetings are being held now. If interested in helping with the planning of the 78th Annual Mermaid Festival pageants, reach out to a North Webster Lions Club member or contact them via Facebook.