GRIFTON SHAD 51ST FESTIVAL
51
SHAD FESTIVAL
Welcome to the home of the Grifton Shad Festival
We are now entering our 51st year.
The Grifton Shad Festival is one of the most time-honored and longest running festivals in all of North Carolina. Come out and enjoy several days of Down East Hospitality. Most events are held on the weekend.
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE – Signs will mark the way. You can use the free shuttle to and from the air activities.
WHERE
Grifton, N.C.
WHEN
Thursday to Sunday
April 13 to 16, 2023
Counting Down
Get ready for our 51st anniversary!
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EVENT SCHEDULE
Festival Schedule
This Schedule of Events will update as activities are confirmed. Check back on a regular basis for updates.
Last updated: 3/21/2022
January 2023
Jan. 1st Shad Fishing Contest begins
February 2023
Feb. 18th Fish Stew Cook-off, 11 a.m. at Depot
March 2023
Mar. 20-24, Coloring Contest
April 2023
April 1st Miss Grifton Shad Queen Pageant, Grifton School Auditorium, 7pm
April 11th FishyTales Story Telling Contest Grifton School Media Center. 6pm
April 13-15th Fun Time Amusement & Rides
Thursday, 13th, 5pm- 9pm, Wrist Bands $15
Friday. 14th, 5pm- 10pm Wrist Bands $20
Saturday, 15th, 10am – 10pm, Tickets Only
April 14- 16th, Shad Shack – T-shirts & Novelty
Items For Sale
Thursday, 13th5pm. – 8pm
Friday, 14th 5pm – 8pm
Saturday, 15th 9am- 8pm
April 13- 15th Mo’s Pub & Entertainment
Thursday, 13th 8pm – 10:30pm Local’s Night
featuring Lonnie Britton
Friday, 14th 4pm – 11:30pm
Saturday, 15th 1pm – 11:30pm
April 14-15th Market Place & Craft Vendors – Lawn at First Citizens Bank
April 14- 15th Food Vendor – Queen Street and Town Commons
April 14th Shad-O (bingo) School Cafeteria, 7pm – 9pm, Great Prizes!
April 14th Musical Entertainment, Grifton Train Depot
6:30pm- 8:30pm Don Cox Band
9pm -11pm Bad Addiction Band
April 15th
10am Parade Reviewing Stand Opening Remarks, Mayor Pro Tem, Claude Kennedy; Commentary by John Moore. MC Introduction ofGrand Marshal
10:30am Grifton ShadFestival Parade
11:45am Presentation of Parade Trophies by John Moore, Master of Ceremonies
Presentation of Fishing Trophies by Randall Hart, President, Grifton Shad Festival
10am – 4:30pm Helicopter Rides by Total Flight Solution at River Road/Horse Stables
10am – 3pm Petting Zoo and Pony Rides by Briley Farms, Queen Street
10am- 5pm Antique Tractor Show by Gerald Cuttington. Queen Street
12 Noon. Musical Entertainment presented by Joseph Scott, Parade Reviewing Stand
12 Noon, Grifton Shad Festival Fish Stew presented by Lion’s Club. Town Commons
12 Noon- 6pm Sky High Entertainment, Queen Street. Stilt walking by Sky, Juggling & Bubble Entertainment. LED Robot Stilt Walking, Fire Juggling Show
12 Noon. 20m & 40m Protown BMX Stunt Team West Queen Street
12:30pm – 1:30pm. – Dinosaur Meet and Greet by Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, McCrae Street
1:300m & 3:30pm – Circus Stella, Town Commons. Circus Acts and Rescued Dogs
2pm- 5pm Shad Toss, between bank and depot
2pm- 5pm Dunking Booth, Queen Street
2pm – 6pm Gospel Music by Anthony Gonzales
Throughout the Day – Captain Jim Is Magic, Queen Street, High Energy Magic and Sword Swallowing
April 15th Entertainment
Grifton Depot and Queen Street
1pm – 2pm Authentic Mexican Dance Team
2pm – 3:45pm Open Mic
4pm – 5:30pm Morgan & Company
6:30pm – 8:30pm Donald Thompson Band
8:45 pm – Drawing for Raffles
9 pm. – Fire Works!!***
9:10pm -11:00pm Coastline Ban
April 15th and 16th
Grifton Shad Festival Art Show, Shad Shack
Building, 6851 Pitt St., Downtown Grifton.
April 15th Noon- 50m
April 16th 1pm – 4pm
Festival News
Platinum/Gold/Silver Sponsors
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