The end of September welcomes chilly mornings, fluffier clouds, and harvest time! For the City of Niles, this special time of year means the Four Flags Area Apple Festival is here, and it kicks off this weekend, September 29th through October 2nd. This year commemorates 50 YEARS of Apple Festival, and this affair will be magnificent!
“The very first apple festival, held in 1972, was much smaller and took place downtown Niles. We have since grown to include a carnival, contests, and vendors, and are now located on approximately twenty-four acres across the street from Niles High Schools,” says Abby Zeider, Vice President of the Four Flags Apple Festival.
Gates open at 3 p.m on Thursday (9/29) and Friday (9/30), with over forty food vendors offering delectable concessions and tasty treats. Topsy turvy carnival rides and intriguing games invite young & old to come play, and the Apple Products Tent features doughnuts, ciders, pies, and more, all available for purchase.
Every attendee of the Apple Festival receives a free apple (how neat is that!?) and while you’re walking around, crunching on some of Michigan’s finest produce, there will be plenty for you to see. The Beer & Wine tent opens for the weekend at 6 p.m on Friday, and please note that the Arts and Crafts booths are only open Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, October 1st, events begin at 9 a.m, showcasing over 100 craft vendors, where you are sure to find a plethora of great items, like decor, consumables, jewelry, and clothing, while supporting small businesses at the same time. The 50th Annual Apple Festival Grande Parade will step off at 1:30 p.m, and will be led by Marie Majerek and Sue Gorlay.
“There are all types of entries for the parade this year!” says Abby. “Businesses, local non-profits, schools, classic cars, first responders, and more! Our Grand Marshals this year, Sue and Marie, are two founding members of the Apple Festival.”
The parade route snakes through downtown, and heads toward Niles High School, taking East Main and 15th Street to travel through residential areas. Saturday also brings a BBQ contest, an Old Fashioned Log Sawing competition, a YMCA Senior Citizens dance, and closes out the busy day with live music and fireworks around 10 p.m.
Sunday morning begins with the Nolan Memorial Classic Car Show, at 8 a.m (until 3 p.m), and the Harold Galbreath Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at 11 a.m. Catch the apple peeling contest at 3 p.m, and the apple pie eating contest at 3:30 p.m.
“We believe the Apple Festival makes Niles special by providing a great place for families to make memories and uphold traditions,” Abby Zeider says. When a committee gathered to discuss a community event in Niles in 1972, it was with one purpose: “to promote, unite, and cherish the apple harvest through an annual festival. Since that time, the number of volunteers has grown many times over, and the community feeling of unity, at least for one week, is evident,” says the Apple Fest.
This event is about celebration and fun, and community bonding and growth! Join family, neighbors, friends, and not-yet friends this weekend, 9/29-10/02, to celebrate 50 years of harvest season in Niles. For exact times of events and amenities available, and the huge list of generous sponsors, please visit fourflagsapplefestival.org.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
