The Four Flags Area Apple Festival will celebrate the area’s children this weekend during its annual Youth Day at the festival fairgrounds on the corner of North 17th and Lake streets in Niles.

The popular event attracts hundreds of kids each year and features a variety of activities, including a big-wheel race, prince and princess contest, youth parade, children’s games and free food.

“The biggest part is that all of it is free,” said Pat Teeter, Apple Festival board member. “If the children don’t have the money to ride the rides during the festival, they can come and have a good time at Youth Day.”

The day begins early with trike and big-wheel races at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Ring Lardner Middle School just south of the fairgrounds. Children can register the day of the event and compete for a variety of prizes.

The Apple Festival Prince and Princess contest will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds. The winners are chosen by random drawings and each contestant receives a goody bag.

The youth parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. at East Side Park and travels north on 17th Street to the fairgrounds.

Teeter said children will be given miniature American flags to carry during the parade in keeping with the festival’s theme of “Apple Festival Salutes Our Troops.”

Children are encouraged to decorate their bicycles and wagons for the march to the fairgrounds.

At the conclusion of the parade, the Apple Festival will offer childrens’ games from 2 to 4 p.m. at the fairgrounds, including bounce houses, a rope bridge, sack races and more.

Free hot dogs, cotton candy, drinks and popcorn will be given away to the children.