By ALYSSA SCHMUCKER

The North Webster Lioness Club is planning the 70th annual Mermaid Festival cutie contest. This year the theme is “Back to the 70s.” One of the more popular events of the festival is the Cutie Queen and King pageant. This pageant is open to girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 6 as of Monday, June 1.

Applications for the king and queen pageant must be received no later than Friday, June 19, for participation in the pageant. The applications and rules can be printed from the North Webster Lions club website at http://www.mermaid-festival.com/. There is no entry fee.

The pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the North Webster Community Center. All contestants must participate in the Mermaid Festival Cutie Parade that will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 on Main Street in North Webster. The Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation will provide scholarships totaling $30,000 for the parade. Scholarships totaling $20,000 will be provided for the pageant.