Last updated on May 21st, 2025 at 08:55 am
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, support for its small library and the Grant Historical House on the Indian River.
We love this stretch of the Indian River Lagoon with its clam beds and oyster bars, an eco-system that nourishes a thriving marine environment with great fishing and great kayaking.
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.
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
Grant Seafood Festival parking
The village of Grant is on U.S. 1 between Sebastian and Melbourne. For easy access to free parking, follow the signs posted on U.S. 1.
Parking is available at the festival grounds and at nearby Valkaria Airport with shuttles running continuously all day to the festival site.
Grant’s Festival Grounds are located at 4580 1st Street, Grant, Florida 32949.
Visit the festival web site at www.grantseafoodfestival.com
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. Read more about Turkey Creek.
Surf, fish, camp, paddle Sebastian
There are three well-maintained public campgrounds near Grant with access to the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Sebastian River. Read more about Sebastian Inlet State Park, Long Point Park and Donald MacDonald Park.
St. Sebastian River Preserve
This 22,000-acre wilderness offers 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horses. Six primitive campsites allow you to really get away from it all. Read more: Nature gone wild at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
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. Read more about Pelican Island.
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
A nice festival!! Medium sized, no parking or admission fees!! Good amount of food trucks/vendors. A craft show on one end for shopahlics. Beer is available. Nice carshow, too. Prices were fair last year!! Overall, I might go back this year!!
How is the seafood priced? Is it included in the admission fee or do you pay individually for each item?
Thank you,.
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.
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.