SOPCHOPPY
21st ANNUAL WORM GRUNTIN’ FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023
(where in the heck is Sopchoppy, fl?)
2023 Schedule!
| 7:00 a.m. | Wiggle Worm Fun Run Registration |
| 8:00 a.m. | Wiggle Worm Fun Run Begins |
| 9:00 a.m. | Opening Ceremony & Kick Off Vendors Open for Business |
| 9:15-10:15 | LIVE MUSIC: Heartland Gospel Singers |
| 10:15-10:30 | Worm Gruntin’ Demo |
| 10:30-11:30 | Worm Gruntin’ Contest 12 & under |
| 10:30-11:20 | LIVE MUSIC: Rockulla |
| 11:30-12:00 | Senior Wigglers |
| 12:00-12:15 | Announcements- Winners & Activities |
| 12:15-1:00 | Easter Egg Hunt |
| 12:15-1:00 | LIVE MUSIC: Mt. Olive Youth Choir |
| 1:00-2:00 | LIVE MUSIC: D.J.Butch |
| 2:15-3:00 | LIVE MUSIC: Frank Lindamood "Long Forgotten String Band" |
| 3:00-4:30 | LIVE MUSIC: Funky Taters |
| 4:30-5:00 | Hula Hoop Contest |
| 5:00-5:15 p.m. | Crown the Queen |
| WORM GRUNTERS’ BALL | |
| 5:15-6:45 p.m. | LIVE MUSIC: Young Bucks |
| 7:00-9:00 p.m. | LIVE MUSIC: Night Shift |
Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival is changing hands, but will be bigger and better than ever in coming years!
Click this link to > See some of our T-shirts, bags, phone covers, hoodies and other merchandise available on Amazon
It is with sadness that we announce the Dissolution of Sopchoppy Preservation and Improvement Association (SPIA)
After 20 years of serving the community that we live in and love, we have made the difficult decision to dissolve the Sopchoppy Preservation and Improvement Association (SPIA). SPIA has hosted the annual Worm Gruntin’ Festival for the past 20 years, but this does not mean that the festival will end. As you will soon see, another group, Discover Sopchoppy, will be taking over the reins and will carry on the yearly celebration honoring the long tradition of worm grunters and their history and importance in our community.
SPIA was formed to preserve and enhance the easy living atmosphere and quality of life of the people of Sopchoppy and the surrounding area through fostering economic vitality and opportunity while preserving social, cultural, historic, and natural values. SPIA’s primary source of funding has been the annual Worm Gruntin’ Festival. Projects funded have included restoration of the old log cabin in the City Park; contributions to various projects at the Sopchoppy Depot as needed; murals at the Express Lane and the old Lou’s Bait & Tackle/Everett’s; the Worm Gruntin’ Festival sign at the corner of Winthrop & Rose Streets; and the Depot Museum sign. We have financed an annual scholarship for a senior from Sopchoppy for each of the past five years and contributed to Odyssey of the Mind in support of Sopchoppy students. Additionally, we have contributed to Operation Santa, Florida Wild Mammal Association, the Sopchoppy 4th of July Committee, the Friends of the Wakulla County Library, Big Bend Hospice, Cauzican Care Animal Rescue, Wakulla County Coalition for Youth, Habitat for Humanity of Wakulla, Florida Big Bend Scenic Highway (in honor of one of our founding members, Bill Lowrie), and last but certainly not least, Discover Sopchoppy.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to provide help and funding for these causes. It has been priceless to actually see the delight on the faces of the children and adults as they watch the worms coming up out of the ground, participated in our many contests (including the infamous Wakulla County Horseshoe Championship, the Hula Hoop contest, and the infamous 5K race); listened to the music of local entertainers, and supported our local businesses and vendors. Now the children of our original Worm Gruntin’ Festival visitors are coming to the event, with some even bringing their own children. What a legacy to leave to our town!
We could not have done this without the tremendous effort of our team of dedicated volunteers and enthusiasm and support of the people and visitors in our community. We appreciate each and every one of you. We know that Discover Sopchoppy will continue to provide the same great adventure to residents and visitors alike. They are dedicated to honoring the past and will carry on the tradition of providing an event that will continue to showcase Sopchoppy’s hospitality. As usual, the next annual Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival is scheduled on the second Saturday of April, or Saturday, April 8, 2023. Please mark your calendar. If you have any questions about the upcoming 2023 festival or would like vendor information, please send an email to DiscoverSopchoppy@gmail.com.
We will still have our Worm Gruntin’ Festival merchandise available on Amazon:
You can purchase selected years’ festival artwork on t-shirts, tank tops, long sleeve t-shirts, zip hoodies, tote bags, pillows, phone cases and more. We have uploaded a couple of the most popular years artwork (2001, 2005, 2011, 2019 and 2022), so you can order your favorite image. If you search on Amazon for “Sopchoppy Worm Grunting Festival” or search by year, for example: “2011 Sopchoppy Worm Grunting Festival”, you should find all the items, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, send an email to: sopchoppyfestivals@gmail.com and we’ll help (or see the link at the beginning of this page).
For those who might want to visit Sopchoppy, there are a lot of outdoor activities available. You could enjoy a walk in our Sopchoppy Depot Park in downtown Sopchoppy (across the street from the old historic train depot—now a museum.) The park is planted with native wildflowers and also hosts a small pitcherplant bog garden. We have a second park, the old Myron B. Hodge park, with RV and camping spaces and a small river walk located on the Sopchoppy River right on the western edge of town. A brand new park is being developed along the Sopchoppy River, as well. The Ochlockonee River State Park is just south of Sopchoppy and is a magnificent park with lots of trails, activities, and RV facilities. Sopchoppy is a link on the Capital City to the Sea Bike Trail — Sopchoppy is a bike trail community with one of the most peaceful multi-use trails located along Surf Road (Ochlockonee Bay Bike Trail). And, we are a gateway community for accessing the Florida Trail, connecting hikers from one end of Florida to the other, with access points just a few miles north or west out of Sopchoppy. We may be small but we are mighty! Come and visit anytime.
We love this article that appeared in the April 2019 issue of Florida Sportsman Magazine:
****** Florida Sportsman Magazine — Out-Bait the Best ******
You’ll enjoy seeing and reading Steve Hartman’s CBS news report about his Sopchoppy visit:
“Worm Gruntin’ Festival: Re-Opening A Can of Worms”
Also, see our article ResortsandLodges.com! “Worm Gruntin’ Festival: A One-of-a-Kind Event in Beautiful NW Florida”
EXCITING NEWS: Our Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin Festival has made the FloridaRentals.com list as one of the top picks for the best annual events and festivals to visit in the state of Florida. FloridaRentals.com – “12 Annual Events in Florida You Absolutely Can’t Miss!”
Contact DiscoverSopchoppy@gmail.com for vendor application and information.