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NILES — A fall tradition returns to Niles this week.

The Four Flags Apple Festival kicks off Thursday at the Apple Festival grounds, located at the corner of Lake and 17^th streets. With the theme “Celebrating the Harvest, the 49^th annual Apple Festival will ring in the fall season with all kinds of entertainment, activities and treats. The event runs Thursday through Sunday.

Ride wristbands can be purchased for $25 up to noon Thursday at skerbeck.com. After that, wristbands are $30.

 

The full schedule includes:

Thursday, Sept. 30

1 p.m. — Judging of window decorating

3 to 9 p.m. — Apple Products Tent open

3 to 10 p.m. — Concessions open

4 p.m. — Carnival rides and games open

4 to 10 — Submissions open for “Biggest Apple” contest, location: Apple Festival Building

5 to 7 p.m. — Submissions open for scarecrow contest, location: front of Apple House

 

Friday, Oct. 1

3 p.m. — Carnival rides and games open

3 to 10 p.m. — Apple Products Tent open

3 to 10 p.m. — Concessions open

3 to 7 p.m. — Apple giveaway, location: south of Admin Building

4 p.m. — Niles City and Niles Township Fire Department demonstrations, location: Fireman’s Tent

5 p.m. — Judging “Biggest Apple” contest, location: Apple Festival Building

5 to 7 p.m. — Final deadline for scarecrow contest, location: front of Apple House

5 p.m. to close — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows, with shows and giveaways on the hour, location: Concession Area

7:30 p.m. — Free concert with PS Dump Your Boyfriend, location: Entertainment Tent

 

Saturday, Oct. 2

8 to 11 a.m. — Pancake breakfast hosted by AMVETS, location: Semco Energy Tent

8 to 11 a.m. — Open stage; bring your own instruments, location: Semco Energy Tent

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

9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Concessions open

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Arts and crafts fair

10 a.m. to close — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows, with shows and giveaways on the hour, location: Concession Area

10:25 and 11 a.m. — 44^th annual train station apple giveaway, location: Niles Historical Train Station

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Apple giveaway, location: south of Admin Building

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Craft beer and wine tent, location: south of Entertainment Tent

11 a.m. — Carnival rides and games open

1:30 p.m. — Grand Parade, which runs through downtown Niles

3 p.m. — Niles City and Niles Township Fire Department demonstrations, location: Fireman’s Tent

3:30 to 5 p.m. — Old fashion log sawing contest

6 to 9 p.m. — YMCA senior citizens dance, location: Niles Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St.

7:30 p.m. — Free concert with The 1985 Band, location: Entertainment Tent

 

Sunday, Oct. 3

8 to 11 a.m. — Pancake breakfast hosted by AMVETS, location: Semco Energy Tent

8 to 11 a.m. — Open stage; bring your own instruments, location: Semco Energy Tent

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Nolan Memorial Car Show, registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Apple Products Tent open

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Concessions open

9:30 a.m. — Scarecrow contest judging

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Arts and crafts fair

11 a.m. — Carnival rides and games open

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

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Apple giveaway, location: south of Admin Building

1 to 3 p.m. — NAMA Christian Music Concert

1 p.m. to close — Huntly Baptist Puppet Shows, with shows and giveaways on the hour, location: Concession Area

3 p.m. — Apple peeling contest