Worm Gruntin' in Sopchoppy Florida
Sopchoppy, Florida
I never heard of it till yesterday. I was reading an article about an upcoming festival held in this little town every year about this time. Often times we miss out on these small town events because we go to the highly commercialized, expensive, stand-in-line for an hour exciting attractions.
Distinctive Title
Well, while it’s not well known, Sopchoppy happens to hold a very distinctive title.
“The Worm Gruntin' Capital of the World”.
It’s all about the juicy worm (Diplocardia Mississippiensis)
A fisherman’s favorite.
The Festival
April is the month of celebration and folks from near and far come to the lineup price of 5 dollars.
Just for a chance to drink free beer and enjoy the midway rides, pig racing, hillbilly music, juggling and fill up on backwoods bistro food.
The highlight of the day is the worm gruntin' contest.
Anybody who wants can try their hand at it, and the grand prize winner gets $50. 00 in cash and a fishing rod.
At the end of the day, some lucky girl will be crowned
‘Miss Worm Gruntin' Queen’.
How it's done
Location
If you should want to join the festivities
It's located 35 miles southwest of Tallahassee, in Wakulla County.
The Muskogeans named this little place after an acorn.
It is surrounded by the Apalachicola National Forest and Wild Life refuge
on the banks of Sopchoppy river.
Fifty miles of pleasure
for fresh water fishing,
canoeing, and water skiing.
The surrounding forest
is a campground
for weekend outings with hiking trails.
Population: 426 (yr. 2000)
It's an art
About this worm gruntin. It’s an art.
You start by driving a stake (stob) into the soil.
Use a long narrow piece of iron to stoke a rhythm until it produces a vibrant sound.
The vibration disturbs the worm in the ground
and for some reason unknown to science,
the earthworm rises to the surface
into the hands of the fisherman.
This phenomenon can also be observed after a hard rain.
Hillbilly Sisters
The Sopchoppy river
P.S.
Every county in the US has its special uniqueness. Look for the activities in your own little town and support your community.
THE END....
