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NILES — The Four Flags Area Apple Festival seeks applicants for its annual Miss & Jr. Miss Apple Festival Pageant, which will take place in September at Niles High School.

Registration can be done online at fourflagsapplefestival.org and must be submitted by Friday, June 28. 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. 26 and Sept. 29. In addition to helping to lead festival events and take part in competitions, the Apple Festival court also does community service, which 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 events such as the downtown trick-or-treat, helping out with crafts at the senior centers, reading books to children in local schools and more.

“There are a lot of opportunities for the girls to be seen,” said Apple Festival President Mike Hubbard. “It builds character and camaraderie with the young ladies.”

Throughout the process, contestants have the opportunity to make new friends and sharpen public speaking skills. In addition, scholarships are awarded to the winners, with Miss Apple Festival receiving a $1,000 scholarship toward higher education.

Youth ages 13 to 15 can enter the junior miss contest and youth ages 16-18 can enter the miss contest. The Prince and Princess will be chosen via random draw. All entrants must be residents of the Niles Four Flags Area: Niles Township, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Howard Township, or Brandywine OR must attend one of the following school districts: Niles, Edwardsburg, Buchanan, Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Cassopolis, or Dowagiac.

“It’s a really nice ceremony,” Hubbard said. “It’s nice to see the contestants have the poise to stand up in front of a large crowd. It’s heartwarming to think kids today are gonna take over for us and do a good job.”

For more information, email afqueenpageant@gmail.com.