GRANT-VALKARIA, FL — This sprawling rural community on the Indian River has celebrated its heritage as a fishing village every year since 1966, using the proceeds from the Grant Seafood Festival for community projects, a scholarship fund, its small library and the Grant Historical House on the Indian River.
I’ve been to this festival in recent years, and I can’t say enough about how much fun we had.
We love this stretch of the Indian River Lagoon with its oyster bars and clam beds, an eco-system that nourishes a thriving marine environment harboring an abundance of redfish, black drum, spotted sea trout, snook and tarpon.
Great fishing and great kayaking in the lagoon, as well as the St. Sebastian River, which feeds the lagoon.
The Grant Seafood Festival is a community event run by volunteers from the Grant-Valkaria community, population 4,000.
More than 100 crafters and artists from across the country exhibit their creativity during the two-day festival. The Grant Library, next door to the festival site, holds its annual book sale with hundreds of used books on sale.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free.
This area is also noted for kayaking and birdwatching opportunities, so plan a long weekend around this festival.
Driving here on U.S. 1 along the scenic Indian River is half the fun.
Visit the festival web site at www.grantseafoodfestival.com
Seafood Offerings at the Grant Seafood Festival
The menu includes oysters and clams, of course, and you’ll also find a plethora of other tasty seafood treats:
Grilled and fried Mahi-Mahi, Lobster Roll, Fried Shrimp, Shrimp & Tuna Kabobs, Linguini W/ Clam Sauce, Sweet Puppies, Manhattan and New England clam chowder, Deviled Crabs, Fried Scallops, Conch Salad, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Scallops, Conch Fritters, Shrimp & Grits, Gator Bites, Fried Clam Strips, Calamari, Crawfish, Lobster Bisque and maybe a frog leg or two from nearby Fellsmere.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and french fries will also be served.
The area’s craft brewing scene is well-represented, showcasing local specialties alongside popular national brands.
Here’s their story…
The Grant Seafood Festival is one of the longest-running seafood festivals in Florida. Enjoy this promotional video about the festival and its scholarship program, courtesy of the Grant-Valkaria Community Center.
Entertainment at the Grant Seafood Festival
SATURDAY – MAR 4, 2023
9:45 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony:
Prayer: Patrick Pittenger
National Anthem: Chloe Chase
Flag Raising: BSA Troop 37 Honor Guard
10:00 – 1:00 Josh Blevins Band
1:30 – 4:30 Umbrella Thieves
5:00 – 7:00 Shoot To Thrill (AC/DC Tribute Band)
SUNDAY – MAR 5, 2023
10:00 – 10:15 Opening Ceremony:
Prayer: Patrick Pittenger
National Anthem: Chloe Chase
Flag Raising: BSA Troop 37 Honor Guard
10:00 – 2:00 Tru Phonic
2:30 – 5:00 Greggie & The Jets (Elton John Tribute Band)
Grant Seafood Festival parking
For easy access to free parking, follow signs posted on U.S. 1. Shuttles to the festival site will be available. The village of Grant is on U.S. 1 between Sebastian and Melbourne.
Things to do near Grant
Paddle, hike Turkey Creek in Palm Bay. A scenic kayak outing on Turkey Creek takes you to Palm Bay’s Turkey Creek Sanctuary, where you can explore 3.5 miles of trails. Along the way, see dolphins, manatees and other wildlife.
Surf, fish, camp and paddle Sebastian Inlet — Sebastian Inlet has always been a favorite destination: the fishing is terrific, the surfing is fine, the paddling is fun, you can go clamming in the shallows and the beaches are beautiful and pristine. Two well-maintained public campgrounds, Sebastian Inlet State Park and Long Point Park, are your gateway to the Indian River Lagoon.
Pelican Island: Oldest bird sanctuary in the US — President Teddy Roosevelt created this wildlife refuge in 1903 to stop plume-hunters from ravishing this three-acre island. Spring is a great time to visit.
Roughing it: St. Sebastian River Preserve — This 22,000-acre wilderness offers 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrians through five thriving wildlife habitats. Six primitive campsites allow you to really get away from it all.
Campgrounds
Donald McDonald Park and Campground (9 miles)
Wickham Park Campground (20 miles)
Sebastian Inlet State Park (22 miles)
Long Point County Park (27 miles)
Places to Stay
Bob Rountree is a beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 12 years ago.
Gil
Thursday 27th of February 2020
How is the seafood priced? Is it included in the admission fee or do you pay individually for each item? Thank you,.
Gregory Keyes
Thursday 13th of February 2020
RE: Mr. Roundtree reply. I'm thankful that the Festival fish supply is NOT supplied by the local source available. That would probably wipe it out if they did. Certainly so after a couple of years.
Bob Rountree
Saturday 15th of February 2020
The rising popularity of all seafood festivals has had the same impact. The best you can expect these days are a few select specialties harvested locally. It's not a criticism. It is what it is. In most cases, the seafood is still fresh and likely still from somewhere in Florida.
Larry
Monday 13th of February 2017
You state in your article that the fishing at Grant is awesome, and so is the seafood that we will enjoy at this annual festival. If the eco-system at Grant provides a thriving marine environment for redfish, black drum, spotted sea trout, snook and tarpon, why do the “local” vendors not sell any of the “local” fish at the Grant seafood festival?.
Bob Rountree
Tuesday 14th of February 2017
Hi Larry... The fish species you mention, while thriving in the waters near Grant, can no longer be commercially harvested in Florida by law. You are correct in suggesting that local fish may not make it to "local" seafood festivals. The explanation I have received is that many of these seafood festivals have grown so large, it is impossible for the local fishing industry to fill the demand. As a result, the sponsors increasingly turn to wholesale suppliers such as Sysco for product. Sometimes that means going outside local markets for commercial catches. Such is the case in Grant, which I'm told is supplied by Sysco. I can see where my story might be misleading, and I will correct it to more accurately reflect the source of the seafood used in these festivals today, as opposed to earlier years. My apologies.