GROVES— There was no doubt Friday evening’s crowd at the Pecan Festival in Groves was a bit sparse due to a little football game that night, aka Mid-County Madness. Yet some carnival-goers got an early start to eat, ride, shop and to play.

For instance, Tina Griese of Port Arthur works at water gun game where players can win stuffed animals.

She said she was patiently waiting for the football game to end and the crowd to come in.

“Last night was okay,” she said.

On the other hand, Bobby Cloud and his granddaughter-in-law, Brittany, of Deweyville, had a booth that goes by the business name, Fudge From My Kitchen.

They were already doing some sales and said they probably wouldn’t be sitting down much throughout the night.

“We just got over the major flood (in Deweyville). We lost everything, but we’re making it,” Bobby said.

He added that selling fudge takes his mind off of things.

“Some people are worse off,” he said. “My wife bought insurance before (the flood).”

They’ve been setting up shop to sell fudge the past three years at various festivals such as the Pecan, Larry’s Trade Days in Winnie, and the Flea Fest in Lake Charles. They soon plan to go to Milam Settler’s Days.

“My wife has always been a good cook and we combined her recipe with my uncle’s,” Bobby said. “All of the grandkids help out. We have 21 different flavors. We stay pretty busy. Come by and buy some. We ship it too.”

Their number is 409-746-7171, their email is frances.cloud@yahoo.com and they’re also on Facebook.

Across from Fudge From My Kitchen was Heavenly Insoles of Fort Worth.

Larri Laughlin said they are massaging insoles unlike any type that is sold.

They’re good for up to 16 hours a day on any surface. They are designed to alleviate back pain, hip pain, aching feet, knee pain, and complications from diabetes.

They last up to three years and are free to try on.

Next door, Simply River and The Paint Bucket, or Orange, are two businesses under the same booth.

They vend self-designed T-shirts, Christmas ornaments, door signs, hand painted crafts, wall murals, commercial window art, face painting and traveling paint party host.

Felicia Shelton said this is their first time at the Pecan Festival. She started in the crafts business two years ago in her home and this is their first booth at a festival.

Simply River has a Facebook page and their email is SimplyRiver@yahoo.com. The Paint Bucket’s number is 409-330-0981.

Lastly, Ashley and Brady Migues, of Nederland, were walking the midway, riding and having fun.

They’re also enjoying the food and checking out the vendors.

David Ball: 409-721-2427