As the world turns hues of orange and yellow, much of the population goes crazy over all things pumpkin spiced, but to me, nothing tastes quite like fall in Niles than bits of apple pie as your face is shoved into a tin pan.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Although I never would have guessed it at the time, one of my all-time favorite memories of the Four Flags Area Apple Festival was when fellow queen Lauren Leonard smashed my face into an apple pie.
This is not because it tasted good (I think it was still frozen), or because I like having pie in my face (does anyone?), but because of the enormous pie fight that broke out in the entertainment tent immediately after.
A long-standing tradition among Apple Festival royalty is one of the finales of the festival, a chance to get a little messy while competing to see who can “eat” the most pie — with no hands.
This contest is one of many designed to draw all sorts of people to one of Niles’ biggest events of the year, and in my opinion, it’s the best part of fall.
Most Niles residents likely have a favorite part of Apple Festival, or a favorite Apple Festival memory, as the whole city embraces this much-anticipated weekend of fun. Businesses decorate their storefronts with all things apple and serve special apple-flavored treats. Community organizations work hard on floats to showcase in the youth and grande parades. School children learn all about the legend of Johnny Appleseed and the true history of the apple harvest.
Basically, everything is apple-y at the end of September and beginning of October.
I was reminded of another favorite Apple Festival memory last weekend as organizers hosted opening ceremonies and the annual Miss and Junior Miss Apple Festival pageant. True to the family affair that Apple Festival truly is, a pair of sisters earned title crowns. Sisters Kimberly and Kara West were crowned Miss and Junior Miss Apple Festival, and sisters Cassandra and Tiffany Pflug were crowned first runners-up to the titles.
Eight years ago, my twin, first runner-up in 2007, crowned me first runner-up 2008, so I can certainly understand the magnitude of the moment these ladies must have felt knowing they can share a year full of memories with their siblings. I’m sure it’s a memory they will cherish for a lifetime.
For me, Apple Festival has always been a great way to spend time with family, get out and see friends and community members and celebrate the impact the apple harvest has on our region.
I remember making apple print T-shirts with Mrs. Maher in kindergarten, spending fall weekends through college serving brats and hot apple cider at Shelton’s, munching on Veni’s caramel apples for Brandywine’s homecomings that often fell during Apple Festival weekend and marching in countless Grande Parades with the cheerleading squad.
Festival leaders spend the whole year planning events and activities that are sure to make memories like the many I have made over the years. Maybe you’ve taken home a prize for the best apple pie. Perhaps you have a tradition of building scarecrows to enter in the scarecrow contest every year. Maybe you race to the same spot annually to watch the parade with family and friends.
A full calendar of events and some information about various Apple Festival amenities can be found in a special edition of Off the Water this week.
I’m very excited to document many of the memories made this year, and hope to see all of you at the festival the weekend after next.
Hopefully this time I’ll have a little less pie on my face.

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com