The 2024 Apple Festival Royalty Court walks the streets of Oak Harbor. (Submitted photo)

OAK HARBOR – The Oak Harbor Apple Festival returns Oct. 11 and 12 with one of its most anticipated traditions, the crowning of the new Apple Festival Royalty Court. The ceremony will take place during the festival’s opening ceremonies on Saturday at 9 a.m., immediately following the presentation of the Dorothy Heiks Award.

Contestants for the 2025 Royalty Court participated in tryouts on Sept. 22, where they were interviewed by a panel of judges from across Northwest Ohio. The finalists will discover their titles live on stage Saturday morning.

2024 Apple Festival Queen Danica Davis will pass her crown to a new queen on Oct. 11. (Submitted photo)

This year’s reigning queen, Danica Davis, will pass the crown to the 2025 Queen and her court. Following the ceremony, Davis will host a luncheon where she has invited royalty courts from across Ohio to celebrate the conclusion of her reign and welcome the newly crowned representatives.

The festivities will continue Saturday afternoon with the Paulette Weirich Memorial Grand Parade, stepping off at 2 p.m. The parade will feature visiting royalty courts from around the state marching alongside the new Apple Festival Queen and the 2025 Royalty Court through the streets of Oak Harbor.