NILES — What is usually a quiet field was abuzz with different sights, sounds and smells early Thursday afternoon as the Four Flags Area Apple Festival’s volunteers, vendors and carnival workers prepared for the public.

Clinks from Bill Teeter’s and Alan Turnbo’s hammers resounded as the two volunteers struck tent poles.

Pam Bechler hung plastic fruited vines along her concession stand, Bechler’s Fun Food, while her husband prepped apple dumplings.

Galen Miller stocked juice boxes at The Pretzel Wagon while other concessions around him grilled up spiced steaks, flanks and sausages.

In the Apple Festival headquarters building, Stacy Walsh, board member, went back and forth between the office, preparing for the festival’s opening.

Despite the activity before the fairgrounds opened to the public at 3 p.m., Apple Festival staff said set-up was ahead of schedule.

“We start our festival in January. It’s an all-year round event,” Walsh said.

Walsh said about 20 board members, 30 year-round volunteer staff and an additional 50 festival weekend volunteers make the Apple Festival run smoothly.

Having a courteous audience helps, too, she said.

Amidst the Ferris wheel smooches, caramel apple chomps and apple-themed competitions, Walsh said being respectful to parking volunteers, leaving dogs at home and leaving bikes on racks can make the volunteer staff and other festival attendees have a memorable experience.

A list of events from Friday to Sunday has been provided:

Friday, Sept. 27

• 3 p.m. — Carnival rides and games open

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Concessions open

• 3 to 11 p.m. — Apple products tent open

• 3 to 7 p.m. — apple giveaway at administration building

• 4 p.m. — “The Flash and Flicker Show” by Niles and Niles Charter Township Fire departments at the fireman’s tent

• 5 to 7 p.m. — Deadline for scarecrow contest entries

• 5 p.m. — Biggest apple contest at the Apple Festival building

•  5 p.m. to close — Huntly Baptist puppet shows each hour at the concession area

• 7:30 p.m. — Rick K. & The Allnighters at the entertainment tent

Saturday, Sept. 28

• 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Backyard Grillers BBQ Cookoff

• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. — AMVETS pancake breakfast at Semco tent

• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Open stage for musicians at Semco tent

• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Apple products tent open

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Concessions open

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — 46th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair

• 10 a.m. to close — Huntly Baptist puppet shows each hour the concession area

• 10:25 to 11 a.m. — 43rd Annual Train Station Apple Giveaway at the Niles Historical Train Station

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Apple giveaway near administration building

• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Craft beer and wine tent open south of entertainment tent

• 11 a.m. — Carnival rides and games open

• 1:30 p.m. — 47th Annual Apple Festival Grande Parade

• 1:30 p.m. — Salvation Army refreshments during parade

• 3 p.m. — “The Flash and Flicker Show” by Niles and Niles Charter Township Fire departments at the fireman’s tent

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Old-fashioned log sawing contest

• 4:30 to 5 p.m. — Anything Apple registration and baking contest at the Semco tent

• 7 to 10 p.m. — YMCA senior citizens dance at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St.

• 7:30 p.m. — Groove Essential at the entertainment tent

• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

Sunday, Sept. 29

• 8 to 11 a.m. — AMVETS pancake breakfast at the Semco tent

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Open stage for musicians at the Semco tent

• 9 a.m. to noon — Car show registration

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — 20th Annual Apple Festival Custom Car Show

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Apple products tent open

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — concessions

• 9:30 a.m. — scarecrow contest

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — 47th Annual Art & Craft Fair

• 10 a.m. — NAMA Christian music concert at the entertainment tent

• 10:30 a.m. — Apple seed popping registration at the activities tent

• 11 a.m. — carnival rides and games open

• 11 a.m. — Harold Galbreath Memorial Horseshoe Tournament

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Apple giveaway south of administration building

• 11:30 a.m. — Apple seed popping conest

• 1 p.m. — “The Flash and Flicker Show” by Niles and Niles Charter Township Fire departments at the fireman’s tent

• 1 to 3 p.m. — 30th Annual Lip Sync Contest at the entertainment tent festival grounds

• 1 p.m. to close — Huntly Baptist puppet shows at the concession area

• 3 p.m. — Apple peeling contest

• 3:30 p.m. — Apple pie eating contest at the entertainment tent