The wait is over.

A fan favorite festival returned to Niles Thursday, bringing 44 years of memories back to the excited community.

The annual Four Flags Apple Festival brings so much interest to the area, making Niles a Michigan hotspot this weekend.

Residents say it’s the bright lights and good times that keeps them coming back.

“We’re here every year,” said one family.

It’s also the fun prize games that keep smiles on their faces.

“We definitely won a goldfish,” said resident Austin Simpson.

But there’s more than overstuffed prizes in this festival, there’s history in the grounds.

“This is our 44^th year,” said festival board member Jenna Rhynard. “We have lots of concessions, we have food, we have rides, we have lots of great stuff.”

Under the big tents were the famous apples many festival-goers love.

“It’s really hard to pick just one but my favorite is the simple classic caramel apple,” said Rhynard.

But nothing’s sweeter than a carnival game victory with your family.

And with over four decades in the community, this festival feels like home for many of them.

“Just a $5 dollar donation to come in and park,” said resident Douglas Hawley Jr. “It’s a great thing, it entertains the kids and keeps them busy for a while and we get to go home and have fun and they get to go home and crash.”