Parade Grand Marshal

The Grifton Shad Festival is pleased to announce that George Sugg is this year’s Parade Grand Marshal.

George was born and raised in Grifton. He graduated from Grifton High School in 1942 and entered The Citadel in the fall of 1942. Later, in 1944, George volunteered and served in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina until the end of World War II. After the war, George returned to Grifton. He went into business with his uncle in 1948 and was in business in Grifton for 42 years. During those years, George served on the Grifton Town Council, Grifton School Board, and the original committee that sparked the Grifton Shad Festival. George became a Master in the Grifton Masonic Lodge at age 21, and he was Grifton’s first fire chief.

George can share a multitude of stories about some of the people who lived and/or grew up in Grifton. In an effort to preserve Grifton’s rich heritage, George has compiled these stories into a book, “Growing Up Grifton.” His stories were penned by Diane Mitchell Thomas who also grew up in and around Grifton. George and Diane will have a book signing during this year’s festival.

George is married to Edna Price Sugg. George and Edna retired to Belhaven in 1990. The couple has one daughter, Nancy, one grandson, Travis, and one great grandson, Grady.