The arrival of April means that the annual Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival is coming soon! The 16th iteration of this unique event that draws families from all across the region will be held on April 9 in downtown Sopchoppy.
At The Worm Gruntin’ Festival, the gruntin’ begins early, but it’s far from the only attraction to be found at the festival. From the 5K race to the Worm Grunters’ Ball, there’s something for everyone whether you’re a seasoned grunter or you’ve never even heard of it before.
What Is Worm Gruntin’, Anyway?
The process of vibrating the soil to make earthworms come to the surface so they can be collected for bait is known as worm gruntin’ (at least it is in Sopchoppy). A stake is driven into the ground and rubbed with a piece of iron which causes the ground to vibrate, and lures the worms up where they can be easily nabbed. The festival offers cash prizes to the best young worm grunters out there, and one of the highlights off the day is the expert worm gruntin’ demonstration provided by professional bait harvester Snap Revell. Snap will be regaling the audience beginning at 10:15 AM, since the worms retreat deeper into the ground as the heat of the day arrives, but there will be opportunities for worm gruntin’ throughout the day.
Worm Gruntin’ Festival 5K Fun Run/Walk
The festival really begins even earlier, with the Worm Gruntin’ 5K fun run/walk. The runners and walkers will depart at 8:00, and you can register for the 5K ahead of time. Since the race course heads over the bridge of the Sopchoppy River and out into the rural areas near the Apalachicola National Forest, it’s a perfect opportunity to see the breathtaking scenery of Wakulla County while staying active and getting your body ready for a day full of worm gruntin’ and dancing.
More Than Just Worms, It’s an Entire Day Full Of Activities
After the 5K and the opening ceremonies have concluded, there’s still plenty of entertainment options to check out during the rest of the day. Arts, crafts, and food vendors will be on hand, and there will be exciting games such as the Wakulla County Horseshoe Championship. Several live musical acts will be getting your toes tapping as the festival goes on, and it’s all capped off by the Worm Grunters’ Ball which begins at 7:00. Don’t miss your chance to experience this free festival on April 9!
Why not make a weekend trip out of it? There’s so much more to see in Wakulla County, so why not take your time and see the area while you’re here? For a list of all the hotels, cabins, fish camps, and B&Bs, visit our Hotels page. You can also build your own itineraries of places to see while you’re here.
