Niles publishing company wins Apple Festival contest

Apple Festival judges fell in love with Leader Publications’ window display, citing its creative use of the festival’s “Sea You At The Fair” theme and overall “cuteness” in naming it the best of all entries in the 2014 Apple Festival Window Decorating Contest.

“It was the most creative overall, had the best theme and almost everything was made by hand,” said judge Stacy Walsh. “It really looked like ‘Sea You At The Festival.’ It was just awesome — really cute.”

Leader Publications, which also won the contest in 2012, will receive a $75 cash prize and traveling trophy to be displayed all year inside the 217 N. 4th St. business.

“There wasn’t an inch of the decoration that didn’t have something to do with the theme of the festival,” Walsh said. “It was full and colorful.”

There were nine participants in this year’s contest, which asked Niles businesses to decorate their storefront windows for the Four Flags Area Apple Festival, which takes place through Sunday.

Pizza Transit finished second and Jim’s Smokin’ Cafe took third, earning a $15 and $10 cash prize, respectively.

Laura Crocker-Anderson also judged the contest. Walsh and Crocker-Anderson are both on the Apple Festival’s board of directors.