NILES — This Saturday, the youth vying for a spot on the 2018 Miss Apple Festival Court will be selected, as the 42nd Miss Apple Festival and 21st Junior Miss Apple Festival pageant kicks off.

The scholarship pageant will take place at 6 p.m. in the Niles High School auditorium, 1441 Eagle St. in Niles. Tickets cost $9 and the proceeds help to support the Miss and Junior Apple Festival scholarship fund.

This year’s theme is “ride the waves to the festival.” To get in the spirit, Pageant Chair Abby Zeider said this year’s contestants decorated their own surf boards for display.

Zeider said the pageant is more than a chance to showcase poise and confidence on stage.

“I love giving the opportunity to get young ladies to get out of their comfort zone, get out in the community and mold them into responsible young ladies,” Zeider said.

Those selected for the Apple Festival court get to be ambassadors to the upcoming Four Flags Area Apple Festival, which will take place from Sept. 27 and Sept. 30. In addition to helping to lead festival events and take part in competitions, the Apple Festival court also does community service. This community aspect is as important to the title as the crown and sash. 

Around town, residents are likely to see the Apple Festival court taking part in the downtown trick-or-treat, volunteering at Fernwood, helping out with crafts at the senior centers and reading books to children in local schools.

This year, there are 11 competitors, seven junior miss and four miss competitors. Whether the contestants leave with a title or not, Zeider said there is an opportunity for contestants to gain something from the experience.

“I think it is a huge growing experience,” Zeider said. “They make a ton of friends.”

Youth 13 to 15 can enter the junior miss contest and youth 16-19 can enter the miss contest. There are 10 scholarships available to those who earn a spot on the court also have the opportunity to win a scholarship. Miss Apple Festival is awarded $1,000; first runner-up $750; second runner-up $500 and Miss Congeniality $750. Junior Miss Apple Festival receives a $500 scholarship; first runner-up $300; second runner-up $250 and Miss Congeniality $300.

As the youth prepare to take to the stage this Saturday, Zeider encouraged people to attend and cheer on this year’s contestants.

“I just think it is important to support these girls and show them that the community is behind them,” Zeider said.

To learn more about the upcoming Apple Festival and pageant, visit fourflagsapplefestival.org.