The annual Four Flags Apple Festival Window Decorating Contest is sure to draw some new customers to local businesses, said Stacy Walsh, the executive board president for the festival.

All Niles’ businesses are invited to participate in the contest and design a storefront based on this year’s theme: The Sweetest Festival.

“We get over 150,000 people (at the festival),” Walsh said. “We got a lot of people coming out of town driving through town. Bring people to your business.”

In addition to creating a unique window front, businesses that participate have the chance to take home prizes. The first-place winner will get $75 and a traveling trophy, the second-place winner gets $15 and the third-place winner gets $10.

Last year, Walsh saw a number of innovative ideas from many of the local businesses that tailored their windows to the theme: Support our Troops. Taking first place was the Antique Mall. The display included military apparel, flags and apples.

To secure the prize this year, Walsh suggested business owners find a way to incorporate apples into the theme.

Walsh and co-chair Pat Teeter will judge the displays between 1 and 3 p.m. Sept. 29.

While Walsh has only been part of the judging for the window displays since last year, the volunteer said she saw a lot of enjoyment in those businesses that did choose to participate in the contest.

“The businesses that do participate enjoy it,” she said. “It is something different. (Most businesses) decorate for various seasons. Why not do it for a cash prize?”

To participate in the contest, businesses can reach out to Walsh at (269) 591-9858.