The Grifton Shad Festival is the oldest festival in Pitt County and the second oldest in eastern North Carolina. It stands for fun and fellowship and working together toward a common goal. Volunteer effort is what makes it work...and what makes it fun. We have no paid employees.  

        The original idea for the festival was suggested by NC Extension agent Ed Comer at a 1969 meeting of GRIP (Grifton Resources Improvement Program).  He said we have good year `round fishing and suggested the hickory shad as the festival's theme. Whoops of laughter greeted him; hickory shad is small and bony and more fun to catch than to eat. The tone for fun was set when then-mayor Dave Bosley said, " We don't have to eat shad; they don't eat azaleas at the Azalea Festival or mules at Mule Day!"

        The idea caught on, and today's Shad Festival is a regional attraction for all ages and interests, with over 30 events from clogging and crafts to historical exhibits, and even a lying competition. About one third of the events are arts-related. Most are free, most are outdoors, and all are family-oriented. Hundreds of volunteers pitch in to make it fun and the shad truly has become the symbol of pride in the community.

Who is "Mo Shad"?  Click here to find out how the name came to be!