Thousands of people attend the Fall Apple Day Festival at Fort Riley every year.

This year the festival is scheduled on Saturday Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s one of the few events where not only does the civilian public get to interact with the military in a fun way, but it also serves as an opportunity by the Army to show off what it does in a positive light for, perhaps, future recruits and to the public the Army serves, ” said Ronald Stewart, operations specialist, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.

The event is free and open to the public.

One new addition will be the Nuclear Meltdown.

“It’s kind of like an obstacle on the TV show ‘Wipe Out.’ It involves balancing, while avoiding getting knocked down, ” said Brad Carlton, recreation program, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

Of course, the Nuclear Meltdown is safe, with all parts covered in foam rubber, he added. Also new to this year’s festival is a bungee and trampoline attraction that will allow those who dare to jump higher than usual with the help of bungee cords attached to a harness.

Returning attractions range from the Historical and Archaeological Society of Fort Riley’s apple pie sales to a Vendor and Expo tents, plus Explosive Ordinance Disposal demonstrations.

The festival is the largest annual festival at Fort Riley, averaging approximately 7,000 attendees.