By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The 33rd annual Four Flags Apple Festival got off to a great start Thursday as the decorated windows of Niles businesses were judged.
Taking home the travel trophy is Meg Truesdell of Red Show Jewelry.
Taking first place was Majerek's Hallmark Readers World, second place went to the Four Flags Antique Mall and third place was taken by the Main Street Antique Mall.
Taking home the honor for the most fun window decoration was the Talen Group, N. Fifth Street.
The window decorating contest has been going on since about 1987, when Nancy Butler of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Specialists started the competition to get businesses involved in the Apple Festival. Alexander has been the chair since 1992. To this day Coldwell Banker is the sponsor of the contest.
Another pair of Apple Festival royalty were crowned last night at the 2005 Prince and Princess selection.
Darrick Anglemeyer, a 6-year-old first-grader at Moccasin Elementary School in Buchanan was selected as prince.
Darrick is the son of Scott and Bobbie Joe Riggs.
Darrick's favorite part about the Four Flags Apple Festival is all the different games you can play in the fair's midway.
Also competing for the selection of prince were: Dalton Riddle, Gage Riddle, Joey Leonard, James Mosier Jr., Blake Sarratore, Lee Anderson, Dylan Schultz, Charlie Pullen, Austin Curran, Ryker Gridley, Jacob Norris and Derrick Dye.
Taking home the 2005 princess title was 8-year-old, Jessica Simpson. Jessica is a third-grader at Brandywine Elementary School and is the daughter of Ron Simpson and Krystal Mathias.
Also competing for selection of the 2005 Apple Festival princess were: Desiree Love, Jasmine Love, Tegan Bays, Olivia Riddle, Brittany Gardner, Katie Harner, Summer Carls, Linzee Buwa, Kaitlyn McDonald, Baylee Faris, Kaura Lee Simpson, Haylea Welling, Anna Lapham, Lexi Smith, Kylie Morris, Jade Mosier, Josephine Williams, Cassie Coleman, La'Jan Mitchell, Victoria Sarratore, Heather Pullen, Nicole Cameron, Jora Barnes and Hannah Davis.