Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - The good news is the North Webster Lions did not lose money on this year's Mermaid Festival.
The bad new is the new admission fee that boosted finances was about as amusing to festival-goers as sugar-free elephant ears.
Realizing the fee left a bad taste with many festival-goers and vendors, Lions Club leaders held a special meeting Wednesday to solicit ideas for re-invigorating the festival.
While a few ideas were cast about, several of the 40 or so people at the meeting complained about the fee and the use of a fence that restricted access to the rides and food booths.
While the fee helped the Lions avoid losing money for the first time in years, according to festival chairman Mark Tevis, it hurt sales at some of the not-for-profit food booths, according to others.
Ron Wichern, a Kiwanis member, said food sales for the ice cream booth were down about 60 percent. He said he's uncertain whether they will return next year.
Wichern said he believes the fee hurt his sales.
"They're not going to pay $7 to get an ice cream cone," Wichern said.
The Milford Lions also reported a dramatic decrease in sales.
Dropping the admission fee isn't really an option this year because it's being dictated by the midway, Interstate Amusement, Tevis said.
The company is already contracted to provide service for next year, but Tevis said that hasn't stopped the Lions from looking for another midway.
So far, Tevis said, they haven't found any alternatives, but if they could, they would be willing to consider signing this year for 2000.
The problem is, he said, big quality midways want to dictate issues like admission fees.
What's needed are fresh ideas to attract more visitors, Tevis said.
"It seems like the Lions are at a standstill with ideas," he said.
He and other Lions members called for more community support, possible from other organizations, schools and churches.
Some of the ideas considered were establishing a large bingo event, hosting an amateur night, staging a battle of the bands or different entertainment. Hosting arts and crafts booths was also suggested.
Anyone with ideas can contact a Lions member or mail suggestions to the Lions Club, P.O. Box 11, North Webster.
