In 1972, the citizens of Niles gathered to celebrate and promote the Michigan apple harvest with the Apple Festival.

Today the tradition carries on for the 45th year at the Apple Festival grounds, at 1740 Lake St. This year’s festival starts Thursday and runs through Sunday.

The Apple Festival will feature a carnival, contests, more than 190 booths, a parade and free entertainment.

Here’s a breakdown of this year’s schedule:

Thursday

• 1 to 3 p.m. — Judging of Window Decorating

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 3 to 11 p.m.  — Concessions

• 4 p.m. — Carnival rides and games, Skerbeck Entertainment; wrist bands cost $22

• 4 to 10 p.m. — Submit entries for The Biggest Apple Contest, located in the Apple Festival building

Friday

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Concessions

• 3 p.m. — Carnival rides and games, Skerbeck Entertainment; wrist bands cost $27

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 4 p.m. — Niles City and Township fire departments present “The Flash and Flicker Show,” in the Fireman’s Tent

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Entries/Scarecrow Contest, all ages welcome

• 5 p.m. — Judging of the Biggest Apple Contest, cash prizes, located in the Apple Festival building

• 5 p.m. to close — Huntley Baptist Puppet Show, concessions area

• 7:30 p.m. — Free entertainment, in the Entertainment Tent

• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

Saturday

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast, Semco Energy Tent

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Open stage, public invited to bring their instruments

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Scarecrow Contest entries and registration deadline, categories: funniest, most original, not so scary

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Concessions

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — 45th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair

• 10 a.m. to close — Huntley Baptist Puppet Show, concession area

• 10:25 and 11 a.m. — 42nd Annual Train Station Apple Giveaway, Niles Historic Depot, 598 Dey St.

• 11 a.m. — Carnival rides and games; wrist bands $27

• 1:30 p.m. — 45th annual Apple Festival Grande Parade

• 1:30 p.m. — Salvation Army to provide refreshments during parade, 424 N. Fifth St.

• 3 p.m. — Niles City and Township fire departments present “The Flash and Flicker Show,” in the Fireman’s Tent

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Old fashion Log Sawing Contest, cash prizes, multiple ages, located in tent by building

• 4:30 to 5 p.m. — Anything Apple/Registration, homemade apple pie/pastry/cake contest, in the Semco Tent, judging at 5 p.m.

• 5 p.m. — Beard and Mustache Contest, located in the Main Tent

• 6 p.m. — Scarecrow Contest, judging, located on site

• 7 to 10 p.m. — YMCA Senior Citizens Dance, Niles Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St.

• 8 p.m. — Free entertainment, located in the Entertainment Tent

• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

Sunday

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast, Semco Energy Tent

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Open stage, public invited to bring their instruments

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — 18th Annual Apple Festival Custom Car Show 2017, free; please no pets; registration 9 a.m. to noon

• 3 p.m. — Awards for top 50

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — 45th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair

• 11 a.m. — Carnival rides and games; wrist bands $22

• 11 a.m. — Harold Galbreath “Galley” Memorial Horseshow Tournament; $10 entry fee

• 11:30 a.m. — Apple Seed Popping Contest

• 1 p.m. — Niles City and Township fire departments present “The Flash and Flicker Show,” in the Fireman’s Tent

• 1 to 3 p.m. — Annual Lip Syncing Contest, Entertainment Tent

• 1 p.m. to close, puppet show

• 3 p.m. — Apple Peeling Contest, tent by building

• 3:30 p.m. — Apple Pie Eating Contest

• 4 p.m. — Christian Concert, Semco Tent