By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
GRANT -- The annual seafood festival will be held March 2-3. Admission is free and gates are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 2, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 3.
The festival, now in its 47th year, has been a favorite event of many in south Brevard County and the surrounding areas and for good reason.
The fresh food at the festival is prepared by the hands of hundreds of volunteers from the Grant community, not brought in from another region, said Lauri Chase, advertising coordinator for the festival.
Families and close friends often get together to prepare the different seafood dishes, so preparing for the annual festival is a tradition shared and loved by multiple generations.
More than 500 volunteers are needed to put together the festival.
In addition to being a free event with free parking and a family-friendly atmosphere, the seafood festival brings in money that primarily helps fund academic scholarships for local students, Ms. Chase said.
Last year, after paying expenses to run the festival, $45,000 was left over for scholarships, she said. The funds also help fund the Grant Community Center, the Grant library children's programs and community block parties.
The Grant Seafood Festival grounds are located on First Street in Grant. During the event, signs will be posted pointing visitors in the right direction from the parking areas.
For more information about the Grant Seafood Festival, visit www.grantseafoodfestival.com.