Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Scenes along the parade route during the 53rd annual Mermaid Festival were not typical as 22 fire trucks passed silently through town under a "firemen's cross" - two ladder trucks reaching skyward with a 30-by-50-foot flag hanging between them.
People lining the streets stood quietly, many wiping tears from their eyes as State Fire Marshal Tracy Boatwright read both a poem titled "What Is A Firefighter?" and the "Fireman's Prayer."
Boatwright prefaced his presentation with an apology if it took him a while to get through. While reading, his voice cracked at times and Boatwright stopped more than once to take a deep breath.
"Firefighters lay it all on the line," Boatwright told the parade crowd. "You need to remember that."
During the presentation, the family of fallen firefighter Jeff Sammons stood before Boatwright. Sammons, a South Whitley firefighter, died when he was overcome by smoke and trapped inside an Aug. 19 fire at Farmer's Exchange in Larwill.
The fire trucks in the parade came from several neighboring towns and communities. All were draped in black.
The parade honored not just Sammons, but all volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to help others. The parade's marshal was Bill Metcalf, a longtime firefighter and North Webster Lions Club member.
Once the solemnity of the day passed, the crowd did get into the festival spirit as they watched the more than 150 entries in the parade, including 18 bands from throughout Indiana.
Festival organizers said that despite the gate fee for this year's festival, attendance was good, with lines waiting to get in on opening night. Saturday's festival-goers also enjoyed the entertainment from the Fox Brothers, followed by fireworks.
North Webster Lions Club secretary Tom Bugg said that the service organization had already covered the cost of its bills and expected to hit the profit stage before the festival closed Saturday.
Organizers said that many people couldn't accept that a gate fee is being charged this year, but expected many would see the positive aspects - the $7 fee ($5 with coupons available throughout Kosciusko and neighboring counties) allows attendees unlimited access to rides and entertainment. The festival previously had free admission, rides cost $1 to $2 each to ride and the bands carried an admission fee.
The festival continues today, with a rib dinner at the United Methodist Church tent from 4 to 8 p.m.; the midway and merchants exhibits opening at 5 p.m.; and Spike and the Bulldogs on the stage at 7 p.m.
