By Abbey Brown • abrown@thetowntalk.com • November 8, 2009
COLFAX -- Thousands crowded the downtown streets of Colfax Saturday afternoon for the 41st annual Louisiana Pecan Festival.
Some were munching on Gator-on-a-Stick, while others were chowing down on deep-fried peanut butter, banana and jelly sandwiches or crawfish eggrolls. Others were looking intently at the crafts -- purses, jewelry, clothing and much more. And even more were meandering around the festival's country store at a wide variety of pecan concoctions -- pecan jelly, pecan pie, pecan brittle, candied pecans or even just plain old pecans.
"We came all the way over here last year and had a great time, so we wanted to come back again," said Cathy Kelly. Kelly and her husband, Terry, came from Many and were purchasing several bags of whole pecans for themselves and friends.
Festival president Wanda Walker said with the nice weather and the quality of vendors, crafts, food, entertainment and carnival, they expect as many as 80,000 during this year's three-day festival.
Festivities continue today with "Sons of Thunder" scheduled to perform at 10 a.m. Vendors and the carnival open at noon, and bracelets -- meaning unlimited rides -- will be on sale for $15. "Diamond Back" will be performing at noon as well.
"This event is so family oriented," Walker said. "People who have moved away come from all over to be with their family and friends again at this event. There are people you won't see all year, but you'll see them at the festival. There is so much to do."
Stephanie Carter, Miss Louisiana Pecan Festival, said she encourages everyone to come out Sunday for the festival.
"You can bring the whole family out," the Montgomery teen said. "There is something for everyone to enjoy."
Carter said one of her favorite parts of the festival is the food -- especially the crawfish pistolets and the pecan pie. She said she and her family have been coming to the festival since she was a baby and remembers looking up to the queens when she was younger.
"Now the little kids look up to me," Carter joked. "They will come running after you. They always think you are a princess. But it is nice to the one they are now looking up to."