Photo by Mike Lamb Ethan Hess and his mother, Erica, work at their cakesicles vendor table during Eats and Beats on July on July 9 on Third Street in Marshall.

MARSHALL — Ethan Hess is baking his way to paying for college.

The Marshall college student found a unique way to make money by selling cakesicles at Eats and Beats held on Third Street on Thursday nights. His mother, Erica, has added her knack for creativity to the operation.

“We got pretty good sales every single week that we’ve been out here,” Hess said.

He plans on setting up his vendor table at this Thursday’s Eats and Beats event. Last Thursday, Hess was selling four different flavors: Rocky Road, Nutter Butter, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Orange Creamsicle.

But don’t expect those same flavors this Thursday. Hess is working on new flavors.

“It’s a secret,” Hess said.

“Each week we do different flavors,” his mom said.

“We have lists of pre ones that we know how to make and we just kind of decide like what would go together well. And you just go from there,” Hess said.

“Family is the best test testers,” his mom said.

Cakesicles are made of crumbled cake and frosting mixed together, pressed into a popsicle shape and covered in a hardened chocolate or candy melt shell. Hess said the cakesicles have been pretty trendy online for several years. He started making them while in high school.

He started selling the cakesicles this summer on the curb in front of their house. Those sales went so well that he looked for some kind of event to sell more and he found Marshall’s Eats and Beats.

So far, Funfetti seems to be the favorite among Hess’ loyal customers. Those are made with the Funfetti cake mix.

“It’s a very time-consuming process making cake pops,” Hess said. “There’s a lot of steps. I think we mastered it. We’ve made, I think, over one thousand. We’re rolling.”

This Thursday’s Eats and Beats follows the Crazy Days celebration in downtown Marshall, which starts at 7 a.m. with shopping, food trucks and many activities. The kiddie parade starts at 10:10 a.m. and the candy drop will be held at 3:30 p.m. New this year is an outdoor happy hour on Third Street which continues with Eats and Beats.

Besides the cakesicles, check out the band Buffalo Alice playing dance-floor ready classic rock and country music.