The weather was picture perfect for the storybook characters who marched in this year’s Cutie Parade Wednesday, June 21 in downtown North Webster.

The parade, which served as the midweek kick-off of the 72nd Mermaid Festival, featured 81 entrants depicting fairy tale and storybook characters who participated in three categories: walking, hand-drawn and motorized units.

Books and movies represented included “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Peter Pan,” “The Littler Mermaid,” “Rapunzel,” “Charlotte’s Web” and a variety of Dr. Seuss works.

Parade participants hailed from 19 Hoosier cities and towns and included entrants from Chicago and Jupiter, Fla.

The North Webster Lions provided nine judges for the event. The top four point earners in each category will be announced Friday evening at the Cutie Pageant.

The festival runs through Saturday night, June 24.