Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - This year's Mermaid Festival will be different than in any of the 52 previous years.
The big change this year is that there will be a gate admission charged for attendance. In the past, the festival has always been free, but Tom Bugg, secretary of the North Webster Lions Club, said that expenses keep "climbing and climbing and climbing."
While some people may complain about the $7 per person entry fee, Bugg said there will be $2 discount coupons at locations all over this and surrounding counties, as well as at the gate. And the $5 charge entitles festival-goers to unlimited amusement rides and all entertainment on the festival stage.
In the past, there have been specially designated days, such as "kids' day" and "wristband day," but now all rides will be offered with the admission fee. "Once you enter the grounds," Bugg said, "You pay nothing more unless you buy food or play games."
The admission fee is good for the whole day, with attendees able to come and go throughout the day. People can leave the grounds to visit booths set up outside the fenced-in area and then come back for the bands or other entertainment, Bugg said.
"We are bringing in some very top-notch entertainment this year," Bugg said. "We feel like we have a very good line-up."
The line-up includes: "Thunder Road," a local band which performs country and rock 'n' roll; "The Fox Brothers," a nationally known group out of Nashville, Tenn., which has won several awards for its Christian country music; "Spike & the Bulldogs," a band from Fort Wayne; "Nostalgia," a local group which performs oldies; "Happy the Hobo," of Channel 55 Fox; "Biff & the Cruisers"; and more.
The North Webster Lions Club annually sponsors the Mermaid Festival. It is a not-for-profit service group which contributes to several community projects and needs each year.
The theme for this year's festival is "Back to the Days of Camelot."
Annual events, including the cutie pageant and parade, Queen of Lakes pageant, fireworks display, festival parade, Corvette raffle and more are planned. The festival runs from June 19-27.
