NORTH WEBSTER — This year, Indiana’s 200th is celebrated in all parts of the state. The 2016 North Webster Mermaid Festival is not an exception. The 71st annual festival’s theme this summer is Indiana Bicentennial, Celebrating Indiana.

Today, Wednesday, June 22, is the first day of the festival with food and merchant vendors to fill the festival grounds at North Webster. The North Webster United Methodist Strawberry Festival will offer strawberry-everything from 4-8 p.m. The Cutie Parade will present contestants at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street. Later in the evening, singers from the Vocal Power Academy will perform on Merlin’s Stage, 7:30-8:30 p.m. North Webster Lions Club will hold a bicycle giveaway for the kids at 8 p.m.

“Dollar Days” is Thursday, June 23. It will cost a dollar to ride the Midway, which will open at 5 p.m. and operate until 10 p.m. For some physical activity, the Mermaid Festival Coed Beach Volleyball Tournament will start at 6 p.m. at the North Webster Community Center. Treasure hunters can enjoy the Lake City Bank Coin Hunt at 7:30 p.m. The seventh annual fireman’s competition will present its challenge course at 7:30 p.m. at the Demo Derby Track.

All the “cuties” of the 2016 North Webster Mermaid Festival will gather for the Cutie Pageant, at 7 p.m. Friday at the North Webster Community Center. Hotline will be back this year to perform classic rock and country on Merlin’s Stage at 8 p.m.

The final day of the festival, Saturday, June 25, will feature another round of the North Webster Coed Volleyball Tournament, 10 a.m. at the North Webster Community Center. The Midwest-favorite game of corn hole can be enjoyed Saturday at noon in front of Merlin’s Stage.

The highlight of Saturday will be the 71st Mermaid Festival Parade, 4 p.m. on Main Street. In addition to Bicentennial themed floats, musicians and bands will march down the 1.5-mile route. The grand marshal of the parade will be Dr. Terry Frederick, accompanied by his wife, Sue. Frederick worked at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne and ministered at The Chapel. He currently volunteers at the Multi-County Medical Outreach Clinic in Columbia City and is involved in mission work.

Following the parade, The Mermaid Festival Demolition Derby will make some noise at 7 p.m. For a more peaceful evening, come to The Queen of Lakes Pageant, 7 p.m. at the North Webster Community Center.

To conclude the festival Saturday at 8 p.m., Roger Marshal Band will play country music on Merlin’s Stage.

Food and merchant vendors will be offering their goods on all days of the festival, June 22 through June 25. The Midway will provide entertainment for the whole family on all days as well, starting at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.