Plans Announced for Mint Festival Contests

mint_festivalPlans are in place for this year’s North Judson Mint Festival. It will be held Father’s Day weekend, June 17, 18, and 19. This year, organizers are commemorating Indiana’s bicentennial, North Judson’s sesquicentennial, and the 40th year for the Mint Festival. 

As part of the celebration, a Bicentennial/Sesquicentennial Essay Contest is being held. All current and former residents of Wayne, Jackson, or Railroad Townships are invited to write an essay explaining why they like living in the North Judson area, while including some local and state history.

Additionally, the Father of the Year or Grandfather of the Year Essay Contest is returning this year. Any student at North Judson-San Pierre Schools is eligible to enter.

The deadline to enter both essay contests is Tuesday, May 31. The winner of each contest will get $50. Winners will be announced following the festival’s opening ceremony on Friday, June 17 at Norwayne Field.

Click North Judson Mint Festival Bicentennial-Sesquicentennial Essay – 2016 or North Judson Mint Festival 2016 Father and Grandfather of the Year for entry forms.

Also returning this year is the Mint Pageant, which will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 6 p.m. at the North Judson-San Pierre High School Auditorium. All children age five to 19 who attend school in Starke County are eligible to take part.

The pageant will be joined this year by the Mint Darlings Contest, for all Starke County children four years of age or younger. The Mint Darlings Contest will be held Saturday, June 11 at St. Peter Lutheran School.

Registration for the two contests will be held at the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library:

  • Tuesday, May 10  4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 17  4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 21  11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 26  4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 31  4:30-6:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $20, plus required fundraiser participation.