NILES — The Four Flags Area Apple Festival will host the annual Youth Day on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Festivities start at 8:30 a.m. with the Trike and Bike Race at Ring Lardner.  There is also a Prince and Princess crowning at 10:30 a.m., and contestants must pre-register. A Youth Parade will follow at 12:30 p.m.

It is fun to see all the children with their decorated bicycles and wagons and colorful costumes, organizers said.

This year’s theme is “Ride the Waves to Festival.” The parade route is from Eastside Park to the Apple Festival grounds on 17th Street.  Following the parade, there will be the free hot dog lunch for the family and other tasty treats and games for all the children.

The 46th annual Apple Festival will take place Sept. 27 to Sept. 30. There will be free entertainment Friday and Saturday night, the grand parade Saturday, pancake breakfast and open state Saturday and Sunday mornings, arts and xrafts booths Saturday and Sunday, many contests with cash prizes, a carnival and a car show Sunday.

On Friday, Three Men and a Tenor will play at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.  The band has been booked as the Best Vocal Americana Show, 3MT was voted “Michigan’s Best Entertainment” four times in 2017, 2016, 2011 and 2006, and was runner up in 2018. As one of their feature tours, 3MT toured Germany to perform at 12 different US Military Bases for our troops and their families as well as singing in the rooms of our wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Hospital in Ramstein. Three Men and a Tenor bring together vocal harmonies that fans said are enjoyed by all ages.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, Chris Higbee will perform. Chris is a country singer that throws in a little bit of everything into his shows. He is a country music artist, expert fiddler, singer, song writer, and plays other instruments, too. The Apple Festival is free to attend, though patrons are encouraged to make a $5 parking donation.  Carnival ride wrist bands will cost: $22 on Thursday, $27 on Friday, $30 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday. There is also a premium new ride that will require extra tickets.  For the first time ever, advance wristband sales are available and offer a discount price of $22. To purchase wrist bands, visit skerbeck.com. To learn more about the Apple Festival, visit fourflagsapplefestival.org.