By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Great food, arts and crafts, rides, caramel apples and the parade are some of the most popular attractions at the annual Apple Festival.
Less than one week away, area residents are excited for the return of the annual festival, which draws everyone young and old alike to the Apple Festival grounds in Niles.
This week, we asked people what they like about the Apple Festival and what keeps bringing them back. We found past and present kings and queens, rookies to the festivals and others who say they will always come out, no matter what.
Sarah Brown of Berrien Springs said she made her first trip to the Apple Festival last year and is excited to return with her family again this year.
"We had always heard about the festival, but didn't actually come until last year. I came on a Friday night and had fun riding the rides and stuffing my face full of food," Brown said.
She even convinced her mother and two cousins to attend the festival with her the following day, where "we spent way too much money on the arts and crafts. But there were so many neat things that we couldn't help ourselves. We all left with less than $5 that day, but it was worth it."
Donna Dodge of Niles is a board member for the Apple Festival and was an associate before that.
She said she thinks it's a great opportunity for children to get involved, especially the Youth Day, which is being held today.
"It's free and it brings families together for a day of fun," she said. "The actual festival is a great community event and gives everyone a chance to do things together."
Raymond and Frances Dillman were Apple Festival King and Queen in 1999 and said the experience is one they will not forget.
"It was raining the day of the parade and we were in a convertible with an umbrella. The umbrella ended up turning inside out," Raymond said. "But they gave us really nice silver plates with our names on them and we had a lot of fun."
Frances said as far as the actual Apple Festival itself, she thinks everyone involved does a wonderful job.
"The parade is great, the kids really enjoy the candy and all of the rides and I love the arts and crafts," she said.
Larry Griffith, this year's king, said he is enjoying his royalty so far.
"We had a really nice dinner after the pageant last week and every year I look forward to eating breakfast at the festival grounds. I like to walk around, see the different sites and I really enjoy the parade," he said.
Don Lawson of Buchanan said he enjoys bringing his grandchildren to the fair on Thursday night for wristband night.
"We've done it every year since my first grandson was old enough to ride the rides. We have eight grandkids now and will be bringing three this year. They like the rides and my wife and I always make sure to bring some caramel apples home," he said.
No matter what you enjoy, the Apple Festival always has something for everyone.
Be sure to check out this year's festival and see why it remains one of the most anticipated events of the year.