GROVES — For upwards of 45 years, queens and other royalty graced the stage holding flowers while wearing a sash and crown.

There will be no queen — not even a petite miss — in Groves this year.

The Pecan Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant has been canceled this year for the first time in the history of the event.

The reason was simple: There were not enough girls entered to hold the pageant.

Ronnie Boneau, executive director of the Groves Chamber of Commerce, said the decision was made after a committee meeting and a board meeting Tuesday.

“We’ve been very upset since yesterday about the decision that has been made,” Boneau said.

Boneau, along with administrative assistant Debbie Snell and office assistant Betty Legnon, sat down and talked about the hard-to-make decision.

Last year it was suggested for the chamber to start accepting entries early as a way to ensure enough applicants and they did. They opened up registration a full month early May 1.

Neon pink fliers with pertinent information was sent home with girls in Groves schools and Legnon visited every day care, Groves school and even dance studio with the information.

In addition, the information was on the marquee outside the city’s recreation center on 39^th Street and the chamber office on Main Avenue. Boneau posted it on the Pecan Festival Facebook page and “boosted” the post for 21/2 months through July 12 and paid to post to Groves residents. The announcement ran several times in The Port Arthur News and was on its website and Facebook page.

But at noon July 13, there just weren’t enough girls signed up to participate.

Boneau said this is the third year of dwindling numbers. Last year there were about 50 entries spread out across the age groups, from age 3 on up to 12^th grade. This year there were fewer and only two in the queen’s category — not nearly enough considering the winners earn scholarships.

“Last year a number of mothers who came in said they wanted to know how to get the word out. We tried every one of their suggestions,” he said gesturing to a file cabinet where the suggestions were posted.

The three said they were saddened this decision was made but are hopeful that next year there will be enough entries to hold the pageant.

“Next year, a week-and-a-half before deadline we’re going to contact all of the mothers who turned in applications or have a vested interest. Tell them of the deadline and the need for more entries,” he said.

Families have already been notified of the cancelation.

Even though the pageant is canceled the actual festival will go on as scheduled from Oct. 25–Oct. 28.