It doesn’t get any sweeter than the 44th annual Four Flags Apple Festival Grande Parade.

This year’s theme — “It’s the sweetest festival” — is inspired by all things sweet. Cookies, candy and caramel are just a few things that might be spotted among the floats, dancers, costumes and bands.

The deadline is approaching to register in Niles’ largest parade of the year. To get more information or to sign up for the parade, visit fourflagsapplefestival.org/ for a participation form or contact Katie Lowe at klowe48@gmail.com. There is no cost for entry. The deadline for entry is Sept. 12.

The parade will start at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Second and Sycamore streets and end in front of Niles High School. For those “sweet” enough to participate in the parade, an array of more than 14 awards will be up for grabs.

Katie Lowe has been a member of the Four Flags Apple Festival Board for six years. Of all the things that make the parade special, it is seeing the turnout of the Niles community.

“We see the streets lined with hundreds of people,” Lowe said. “It is quite the sight to see.”

Many volunteers and police officers from the Niles community come together to donate their time and hard work to put on the festival and parade.

“They put out numbers, run the registration table, deliver the trash cans, and assist with making sure all things run smoothly,” Lowe said. “Our parade is so successful because we have so many wonderful volunteers.”

The Four Flags Apple Festival, which begins Sept. 29 and lasts through Oct. 2, typically draws between 50-100,000 people a year. There are usually about 100 parade entries a year and anyone — businesses, schools, bands — is invited to participate. The only requirement is that participants keep it family friendly.

The Apple Festival board will be participating in the parade with a float of their own. Lowe said the float is ready to go and includes a gingerbread house and other sweet treats. Of all the ways to catch the judges’ eyes and win one of the 14 awards, sticking to the theme while incorporating apples doesn’t hurt Lowe said.

Some of the award categories include the Macintosh Tractor Award for the best tractor; Zapple the Apple Award for the best clown or costume character unit and the Rolling Wheels Award for best unit on wheels, as well as the Harmony Award for the best marching band unit.

The judging for awards is done prior to the parade at 10 a.m. except for awards involving bands or cheer groups, which are judged en route as the unit passes in front of the library. Check in for all parade participants begins at 8 a.m. All participants are encouraged to arrive between 7:30 to 8 a.m. to begin setup so they are prepared for judging. Winners will receive either a trophy or plaque.

This year, retiring Mayor Mike McCauslin will get a sweet goodbye from the Apple Festival. Each year the board selects a deserving member of Niles community to serve as the grand marshal and the board decided McCauslin deserved the title.

For Lowe, who has been involved in the Apple Festival since she was a teenager, the parade and festival is more than a special tradition.

“I think it is something that people look forward to every year,” she said. “Every year we make it better than the last.”