The Apple Festival activities will officially kick off this weekend, starting with the Junior Miss and Miss Apple Festival pageant.

The scholarship pageant will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at Niles High School, 1441 Eagle St. Admission is $9.

This year, there are a total of 15 contestants, nine junior and six miss competitors. The events will begin with Apple Festival President Stacy Walsh distributing several community awards. Then, festival contestants will do an opening dance and the competition will begin.

Abby Zeider, the chairperson of the pageant, said this year there are 10 available scholarships. Title winners receive the scholarships and there is an additional opportunity to win $250 in scholarship funds during two random drawings.

Zeider encouraged the community to attend the event and cheer on all contestants.

“These girls are taking a big chance getting out on stage and they are excited to be part of the community,” Zeider said. “Any support will fire them up to do their best on stage.”