Let the festivities begin.

Today marks the opening of Niles’ biggest weekend of entertainment — the Four Flags Area Apple Festival.

While most of the action happens on the weekend, there are still several activities families can enjoy today at the fairgrounds, located at the corner of 17th and Lake streets.

For instance, the Apple Products Tent will be open all day beginning at 9 a.m.

Concessions open at 3 p.m. along with carnival rides. Kids can ride as much as they want from 3 to 10 p.m. by purchasing a $20 wristband.

The Apple Festival will also be taking entries for its “Biggest Apple” contest from 4 to 10 p.m. The contest will be judged on Friday with cash prizes awarded to the winners.

Businesses who decorated their windows in the Apple Festival’s “sea theme” will be judged from 1 to 3 p.m.

A full preview of this weekend’s festivities, including the lineup for the Grande Parade will appear in Friday’s Niles Daily Star.