The apple cider slushie takes over as most popular snack at Four Flags Apple Festival

NILES, Mich. -- Apples were king this weekend in Niles and a longstanding festival there is showing there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the crispy fruit.

From apple pie to fritters and cookies, the 54th annual Four Flags Apple Festival was giving every sweet tooth their fix.

This event brought together a plethora of unique ways for attendees to enjoy their favorite apple themed treats.

For 40-year Apple Festival board member, Mike Hubbard, the food options never get old.

"Oh, it's to die for," Hubbard said. "You can't get any fresher than here."

But this year, one menu item seemed to stand out amongst the rest, the apple cider slushie.

Event volunteer Audrey Kuehn has seen the sweet treat evolve from just an idea to a full-blown phenomenon.

"It is an ice-cold cider, it's fresh cider straight from the farm put into a slushie machine," Kuehn said. "It's just pure apple, pure cider, and it's amazing."

The final day of the Four Flags Apple Festival is Oct. 4, and it will feature three different events.

Kicking off with an apple peeling contest at 1 p.m. and ending the day with an apple pie eating contest at 3:30 p.m.