Cutie Parade Winners Named
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - Shane Pullins and Elizabeth Kleopfer of Syracuse were named the 2006 Cutie King and Queen during Friday's Cutie Pageant. They were selected from a field of 16 boys and 28 girls ages 4 to 6 years old.
The eight children selected for the Cutie Court received a total of $30,000 in educational bonds from the International Palace of Sports.
Brought out in small groups the casually-dressed youngsters are urged smile, wave and stand in place. Stepping up to bright lights shining up from the edge of the Community Center stage, many circled their eyes with fingers and thumbs against the glare ... the better to spot their parents in the large crowd.
The children wear shorts or long pants and no make up.
Some wiggle a bit and the occasional "Hi, mommy!" was heard. The boys were a bit more enthusiastic, leaping and jumping in excitement.
The competition is narrowed to 10 boys and 10 girls and further reduced to King, Queen, first, second and third runner-ups. This year judges selected Cutie Queen Elizabeth Kleopfer, the daughter of Stuart and Angie Kleopfer of Syracuse. Cutie King is Shane Pullins, the son of Jason Coy and Theresa Lentner, Syracuse.
Jenna Mitchell, the daughter of Joshua and Trisha Mitchell of Fort Wayne, and Zach D. Hunter, the son of Jeff and Molly Hunter of Syracuse, are first runners-up in the competition.
Second runners-up were Jayla N. Gates, the daughter of Joseph Gates and Tina Hill of Indianapolis, and Max D. Eckelbarger, the son of Shawn and Wendy Eckelbarger of Spencerville.
Alyssa N. Minnix, the daughter of Wendy Cavender of Syracuse, and Damien Rodriguez, the son of Mario and Tara Rodriguez of Syracuse, were named third runners-up.
The King and Queen receive $5,000 in educational bonds each; the first runners-up, $2,500; the second runners-up, $1,500; and the third runners-up, $1,000.
North Webster Lions Club member Steve Ward was master of ceremonies.
This is the 61st year for the Cutie Pageant event, a Mermaid Festival tradition.
The festival continues today with the Tournament of Champions starting at 8 a.m. (7:30 a.m. sign-in) at the North Webster Elementary School.
At noon the Antique Boat Flotilla begins on Webster Lake and the American Legion Post 253's chicken barbecue is from noon until the food is gone.
Discounted tickets for Poor Jack Amusements rides are available from 1 to 5 p.m. The merchant building also opens at 1 p.m. along with the Milford Lions food stand.
The eighth annual arm wrestling event is at 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m. the 61st annual Mermaid Festival Parade begins. The theme is "Comic Strips On Parade."
The North Webster United Methodist Church's hamburger and hot dog dinner is from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Central Indiana Tractor Pullers Association mini rod pullers competition begins at 6 p.m.
The North Webster Ski Bee's Club performs on Webster Lake at 6:30 p.m.
Performing on Merlin's Stage is "Class Act Dance Troupe" at 7 p.m. and the "InClognito Cloggers" at 8 p.m.
Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - Shane Pullins and Elizabeth Kleopfer of Syracuse were named the 2006 Cutie King and Queen during Friday's Cutie Pageant. They were selected from a field of 16 boys and 28 girls ages 4 to 6 years old.
The eight children selected for the Cutie Court received a total of $30,000 in educational bonds from the International Palace of Sports.
Brought out in small groups the casually-dressed youngsters are urged smile, wave and stand in place. Stepping up to bright lights shining up from the edge of the Community Center stage, many circled their eyes with fingers and thumbs against the glare ... the better to spot their parents in the large crowd.
The children wear shorts or long pants and no make up.
Some wiggle a bit and the occasional "Hi, mommy!" was heard. The boys were a bit more enthusiastic, leaping and jumping in excitement.
The competition is narrowed to 10 boys and 10 girls and further reduced to King, Queen, first, second and third runner-ups. This year judges selected Cutie Queen Elizabeth Kleopfer, the daughter of Stuart and Angie Kleopfer of Syracuse. Cutie King is Shane Pullins, the son of Jason Coy and Theresa Lentner, Syracuse.
Jenna Mitchell, the daughter of Joshua and Trisha Mitchell of Fort Wayne, and Zach D. Hunter, the son of Jeff and Molly Hunter of Syracuse, are first runners-up in the competition.
Second runners-up were Jayla N. Gates, the daughter of Joseph Gates and Tina Hill of Indianapolis, and Max D. Eckelbarger, the son of Shawn and Wendy Eckelbarger of Spencerville.
Alyssa N. Minnix, the daughter of Wendy Cavender of Syracuse, and Damien Rodriguez, the son of Mario and Tara Rodriguez of Syracuse, were named third runners-up.
The King and Queen receive $5,000 in educational bonds each; the first runners-up, $2,500; the second runners-up, $1,500; and the third runners-up, $1,000.
North Webster Lions Club member Steve Ward was master of ceremonies.
This is the 61st year for the Cutie Pageant event, a Mermaid Festival tradition.
The festival continues today with the Tournament of Champions starting at 8 a.m. (7:30 a.m. sign-in) at the North Webster Elementary School.
At noon the Antique Boat Flotilla begins on Webster Lake and the American Legion Post 253's chicken barbecue is from noon until the food is gone.
Discounted tickets for Poor Jack Amusements rides are available from 1 to 5 p.m. The merchant building also opens at 1 p.m. along with the Milford Lions food stand.
The eighth annual arm wrestling event is at 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m. the 61st annual Mermaid Festival Parade begins. The theme is "Comic Strips On Parade."
The North Webster United Methodist Church's hamburger and hot dog dinner is from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Central Indiana Tractor Pullers Association mini rod pullers competition begins at 6 p.m.
The North Webster Ski Bee's Club performs on Webster Lake at 6:30 p.m.
Performing on Merlin's Stage is "Class Act Dance Troupe" at 7 p.m. and the "InClognito Cloggers" at 8 p.m.
Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]