By Michael Stoll
mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com

 

The smell of funnel cakes and other fair foods wafted through the air at Chris Roark Lions Park in Groves. Excited children waited in lines for rides, eagerly handing their tickets to the employees to gain entry onto their ride of choice. The Tornado ride spun in circles as “The Cradle Will Rock” by Van Halen blared over the speakers. Looming over it all was the iconic Ferris Wheel.

It was the 2017 Groves Pecan Festival, kicking off Thursday evening.
“I’m excited about the Ferris Wheel,” said 7 year-old Libby Smith of Groves. It was a sentiment shared by her sisters, 3 year-old Maddy and 5 year-old Ally, and 5 year-old friend, Cheyenne Clark.
Spread throughout the park were rides, food stands, and vendors such as Joyce Simon, who sells homemade jams and jellies and raw honey.
“Last year was my first year (at the Groves Pecan Festival),” she said. The Groves Chamber of Commerce asked her to participate again this year.
Depending on her success, Simon may come back next year.
“We’ll just see how good it is this year,” she said. “If you don’t make any money, you don’t want to come back, but if you make a profit you don’t mind because people are buying.”
Hungry attendees had more than enough food choices, such as shrimp on a stick made by Orange native Holly Granger.
“I was really little (when we first came to the festival),” she said as she skewered onions and shrimp. “We’ve always sold shrimp on a stick. We also offer curly fries, chicken on a stick and shrimp balls.”
As the night grew later, the crowds grew larger as locals, such as Kasey Brasseaux and her daughter, 3 year-old Lainey, flocked to the attractions
“We come every year,” Kasey said and Lainey enjoyed some frozen Dippin’ Dots. “(Lainey) likes the rides, we like the food because the lines here aren’t as long as the Fair and everywhere else.”
A costume contest was held Thursday night and included entrants such as 13 year-old Groves native Kaylin Wilson, who came dressed as a witch from the House of Gryffindor from the “Harry Potter” series.
“I don’t usually compete in (the costume contest), but I felt I could do something extra since I’m singing the National Anthem this year,” she said.
The 2017 Groves Pecan Festival will continue from Friday to Sunday. The 2017 Groves Pecan Festival Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, with line-up beginning at 8:30 a.m. This year’s route will run along 39th Street, beginning on Cleveland Avenue and ending at Gulf Avenue.
The 2017 Cooking with Pecans Contest, sponsored by Oak Groves Nursing Home and Julian Salter Insurance Company, will also be held on Saturday. The contest will have three categories: dessert, entrée, and appetizers. Submissions will be accepted from 3-4:30 p.m. Judging begins at 4:30 p.m. and winners will be announced at the stage area at 7 p.m. Winners in each category will receive $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.
For more information on the 2017 Groves Pecan Festival, visit http://www.grovescofc.com/groves.php?id=19.