The 46th Four Flags Area Apple Festival started Thursday at the Apple Festival grounds, 1740 Lake St. The annual event includes rides, free entertainment and hosts of apple-inspired games and competitions. Here’s a schedule of upcoming events. 

Friday, Sept. 28

• 3 p.m. — Carnival rides, cost: $27

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Concessions food and products

• 3 to 10 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 4 p.m. — Niles City and Township Fire Department presents “The Flash and Flicker Show”

• 5 p.m. — Judging of the Biggest Apple contest, cash prizes

• 5 to 7 p.m. — Final deadline for entries for the Scarecrow Contest

• 5 p.m. to close — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows

• 7:30 p.m. — Free concert: Three Men and a Tenor

Saturday, Sept. 29

• 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Backyard Grillers BBQ

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

• 8 to 11 a.m.  — Open stage, people can bring their own instruments and perform

• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Apple Products Tent

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Concessions

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — 46th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair

• 10 a.m. to close — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows

• 10:25 and 11 a.m. — 43rd Annual Train Station Apple Giveaway

• 11 a.m. — Carnival Rides and Games

• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Craft Beer and Wine tent

• 1:30 p.m. — 46th Annual Apple Festival Grande Parade

• 1:30 p.m. — Salvation Army, 424 N. 15th St., will offer refreshments during parade

• 3 p.m. — Niles city and Niles Township fire departments present “The Flash and Flicker Show.” This takes place in the Fireman’s Tent and aims to teach people about fire safety.

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Old Fashion Log Sawing contest, cash prizes in the following categories: senior citizens, men and women 18 to 60 and boys and girls: 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17. This event takes place in the Tent Building

• 4:30 to 5 p.m. — Anything Apple/Registration, categories include: Homemade Apple Pies, Pastries and Cake Contest; Pies, Pastries and Cakes. This event is located in the Semco Tent

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

• 5 p.m. — Judging “Anything Apple” Contest, Semco Tent

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

• 8 p.m. — Free Entertainment: Chris Higbee

• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

Sunday, Sept. 30

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

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Open Stage, Semco Tent

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — 19th Annual Apple Festival Custom Car Show 2018, free to spectators, no pets allowed

• 9 a.m. to noon — car registration

• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Apple Products tent

• 9:30 a.m. — Scarecrow Contest Judging

• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Concessions

• 3 p.m. — Awards – Top 50, location at the National Standard Grounds

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — 46th annual Arts and Crafts Fair

• 10:30 a.m. — Registration “Apple Seed Popping”

• 11 a.m. — Carnival Rides and Games

• 11 a.m. — Harold Galbreath “Galley” Memorial Horseshoe Tournament

Double with single competition immediately following $10 entry fee. Awards and cash prizes.

• 11 a.m. — NAMA Christian Music Concert, Semco Tent

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

• 1 p.m. — Niles city and Niles Township fire departments present “The Flash and Flicker Show.” This event is located in the Fireman’s Tent

• 1 to 3 p.m. — 29th Annual Lip Sync Contest, cash prizes awarded, located in the Entertainment Tent

• 1 p.m. — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows, located in the Concession Area

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

• 3:30 p.m. — Apple Pie Eating Contest in the Entertainment Tent