Chincoteague Events

May 18, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RELEASE ON THE 2020 CARNIVAL & PONY PENNING CELEBRATION

From: Alex Tucker, President of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and after carefully analyzing the three Phases as set forth by Governor Northam for opening Virginia, the Board of Directors of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company voted to cancel the 2020 Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival & Pony Penning celebration scheduled to begin July 2, 2020. Please understand that this was not an easy decision to make, with the last pony penning being cancelled over 78 years ago during the second World War. We know how much this community loves this fire company and supports our carnival but with the restrictions put into the phases to prevent the spread of the corona virus, it was the only logical decision to make.

With this said, the foals of the pony herd will be sold by way of online auction, with a date to be determined by the Pony Committee. Plans are still being arranged as to where the ponies will physically be during the auction and we encourage you to keep a close watch on the developments as plans are made public on the auction. Our longtime auctioneer Tim Jennings will be conducting the auction and it should be a positive event for this fire company.

I pray all of you are staying safe, and please don’t hesitate to call us if you need us. We will always be here for you!

Alex Tucker, President
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
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Wednesday July 29, 2020

At “slack tide” – Time to be announced at a later date by Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The Chincoteague Ponies will swim across the Assateague Channel just south of Memorial Park (7427 Memorial Park Dr, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336) on the east side of Chincoteague Island. There is no charge by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company for parking or seeing the ponies swim. The ONLY parking at Memorial Park, however, is designated for tour buses. All those seeking handicap parking and all day-trippers are encouraged to go to Municipal Center (6150 Community Drive, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336) and catch the free shuttle. There will be a handicap accessible bus for your convenience (click here for shuttle information and link to official shuttle map). Those staying on the island may catch a shuttle bus near their lodging.

The first foal to come ashore will be named King or Queen Neptune and will be given away in a raffle drawing at the carnival grounds later in the day (time to be announced). Tickets are sold each night at the carnival and amongst the crowd while waiting for the swim to occur. You must have a ticket and you must be present to win.

After swimming the short distance across the channel, the ponies will rest for approximately 45 minutes to an hour before “parading” to the carnival grounds on Main Street. See shuttle bus map below for parade route.

The carnival will open at 7:00 p.m. with rides, games, and lots of good food.

Note: Pets are not permitted in Memorial Park or the Carnival Grounds.
Coast Guard on Alert for Illegal Charter Boats During Chincoteague Pony Swim
(The Coast Guard is cautioning tourists attending the pony swim to avoid boats that do not have licensed captains, and in some cases have not been inspected by the Coast Guard.)

7:00 p.m. – Carnival attractions.

Click here for detailed Pony Swim shuttle map.

The Chincoteague Oyster Festival is held to promote the seafood industry and mark the arrival of the oyster season. Come and enjoy oysters—raw, steamed, fritters, and single fried; clam fritters, clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, salad bar, hot dogs, hush puppies, and Boardwalk fries. Beverages are included in the ticket price with beer available for purchase. Island Boy, a festival favorite for over 25 years, will provide live entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment.  An Extravaganza Raffle is held with the winner receiving t-shirts, tickets, lodging, gift certificates for meals, and much more for the following year’s festival.  A favorite at the festival is the “Best Place/Space Award” which is given to the best decorated area.  There will also be a variety of souvenirs available for purchase.  This is an advance ticketed event that is typically sold out before festival day.  

48th Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival
October 10, 2020
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tom’s Cove Park
8128 Beebe Road, Chincoteague, VA  23336
Locate the Festival on Google Maps

Visit ChincoteagueOysterFestival.com to Purchase Tickets & Learn More About
Festival Helpful Hints
Directions & Parking
Extravaganza of Prizes Raffle & Best Space Contest
Merchandise
Festival Sponsors

Parade Line Up Map
Park and School Staging
PLEASE NOTE:  Due to insurance liabilities, all entries in the parade (judged or not judged) MUST submit a parade entry form in order to participate in the parade. No walk-on entries will be allowed.

Visit beautiful Chincoteague Island and celebrate an annual Christmas tradition – the Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade! 

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with an invocation in front of the Chincoteague Island Library followed by the parade 7:00 p.m. Fill the sidewalks on Main Street from Maddox Boulevard to Chincoteague American Legion Post 159 to see enchanting floats, bands, marching units, decorated boats, fire companies from across the Eastern Shore, equestrian teams, classic cars, and more. Keep an eye out for Santa too!

Afterwards the festivities continue at a Chincoteague American Legion Post 159; 4023 Main Street (across the street from the old Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Fire House). Visit with Santa while enjoying refreshments served by the Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague. Cheer for parade participants when trophies are awarded by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce.

41th Annual Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade

December 5, 2020

7:00 p.m.

Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA

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For a complete list of Island events & activities CLICK HERE