Welcome to the home of the Grifton Shad Festival

We are now entering our 52nd 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.

Schedule of Events:

April 13th Miss Grifton Shad Queen Pageant, Grifton School Auditorium, 7pm

April 15th FishyTales Story Telling Contest Grifton School Media Center. 6pm

April 18th-20th Fun Time Amusement & Rides
Thursday, 18th, 5pm- 9pm, Wrist Bands $20
Friday. 19th, 5pm- 10pm Wrist Bands $25
Saturday, 20th, 10am – 10pm, Tickets Only

April 18th- 20th, Shad Shack – T-shirts & Novelty
Items For Sale
Thursday, 18th5pm. – 8pm
Friday, 19th 5pm – 8pm
Saturday, 20th 9am- 8pm

April 18- 20th Mo’s Pub & Entertainment
Thursday, 18th 8pm – 10:30pm Local’s Night
featuring Lonnie Britton
Friday, 19th 4pm – 11:30pm
Saturday, 20th 1pm – 11:30pm

April 19-20th Market Place & Craft Vendors – Lawn at First Citizens Bank

April 19- 20th Food Vendor – Queen Street and Town Commons

April 19th Shad-O (bingo) School Cafeteria, 7pm – 9pm, Great Prizes!

April 19th Musical Entertainment, Grifton Train Depot
6 pm- 7:30pm MoCo (Morgan & Company)
8pm -11pm The Main Event Band

April 20th

10am Parade Reviewing Stand Opening Remarks, Mayor B. R. Jackson; Commentary by John Moore. MC Introduction of Grand 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, Grifton Shad Festival Fish Stew presented by Mo’s Gang. 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. 2pm & 4pm Protown BMX Stunt Team West Queen Street

1:30pm & 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 20th Entertainment
Grifton Depot and Queen Street
1pm – 2pm Authentic Mexican Dance Team
2pm – 3:45pm Open Mic
6:00pm – 7:30pm Donald Thompson Band
8:45 pm – Drawing for Raffles
9 pm. – Fire Works!!***
8pm -11:00pm Tams & 14-k Gold Band

April 20th and 21st

Grifton Shad Festival Art Show, Shad Shack
Building, 6851 Pitt St., Downtown Grifton.
April 20th Noon- 5pm
April 21st 1pm – 4pm

April 21st

The Great Contentnea Creek Duck Race- 2pm
“Tick Bite Kayak Regatta”- Kayak Race- 3pm

Date: April 16-21, 2024

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