Events
Jul 25, 2018
World Famous Pony Swim Day
Wednesday July 25, 2018
UPDATE (7/4/2018) – The 93rd Annual Pony Swim will take place some time between 8am – 10am. Please plan accordingly.
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.
Oct 6, 2018
46th Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival
46th ANNUAL
CHINCOTEAGUE OYSTER FESTIVAL!
OCTOBER 06, 2018
Tom’s Cove Park
8128 Beebe Road
Chincoteague, VA 23336
Locate the festival on Google Maps
Tickets are $45 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)
All Ticket Sales Are Final!!
Event is held rain or shine, however is subject to delay or rescheduling. Every attempt will be made to have the festival on the date and time advertised. However, circumstances beyond the Chamber’s control may require rescheduling or delay. No refunds will be issued in such case.
Gates open at 10am
Appetizers served at 11am
Seafood served at 12noon
Festival ends at 4pm
Gates open at 10am for entrance and setup.
There is NO early setup. If you enter the festival grounds and setup your space or reserve tables before 10am Saturday morning, your belongings will be placed outside of the festival gates.
You are free to go in and out of the festival grounds from 10am-Noon. Wristbands will be removed upon exiting festival grounds between the hours of Noon-4pm
Eat all you want, but please do not remove food from the festival grounds.
Due to insurance liabilities, all attendees and volunteers much exit the festival grounds by 6pm.
We thank you for cooperation in making this a wonderful festival!
Need some helpful tips? Here are a few!
Tickets are limited, so purchase yours before they sell out!!!
Apr 19, 2019
2019 Easter Decoy & Art Festival
April 19-20, 2019
Friday, April 19th, Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Chincoteague Combined School
4586 Main St.
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Admission is $4.00/day per person (Children under 12 are free)
Local and national carvers and artists of all kinds exhibit and sell their works. Awards are given in various categories. Wooden Easter Eggs decorated by the exhibitors are offered in a silent auction.
The Pre-loved Treasures Silent Auction has been a favorite in recent years. In 2019, the auction will benefit TBD.
2018 Easter Decoy & Art Festival Application
For more information on the exhibitors and award winners, please visit ChincoteagueDecoyShow.com
May 4, 2019
51st Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
An Eastern Shore Tradition
Since 1968
Saturday May 4, 2019
10am – 4pm
Tom’s Cove Park
8128 Beebe Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Find Us With Google Maps
Tickets are $45 per person
(Children under 5 are FREE)
Event is held rain or shine, however is subject to delay or rescheduling. Every attempt will be made to have the festival on the date and time advertised. However, circumstances beyond the Chamber’s control may require rescheduling or delay. No refunds will be issued in such case. Upon purchase of ticket, you understand and agree to these terms.
All ticket sales are final!!
Gates open at 10am | Appetizers served at 11am | Seafood served from Noon until 4pm
There is NO early setup. If you enter the festival grounds and setup your space or reserve tables before 10am Saturday morning, your belongings will be placed outside of the festival gates.
Wristbands will be removed upon exiting festival grounds between the hours of Noon – 4pm
Eat all you want, but please do not remove food from the festival grounds.
We thank you for cooperation in making this a wonderful festival!
Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Blvd, by calling 757-336-6161 or by clicking the Buy Now button.
Tickets are no longer being sold in outlets.
2018 Seafood Festival Trolley Information and Festival Helpful Hints
Trolley Schedule and Brochure
Looking for a great way to spotlight your business or organization?
Join us with a Hospitality/Vendor space, in the Arts and Crafts tent,
or as a “Friends of the Festival” sponsor. Learn more below.
It’s a Tradition …..
A spring seafood festival has been held here on Chincoteague Island for FIVE decades.
COME AND ENJOY A DELICIOUS MENU
“Little Neck” Steamed Clams | Single Fried Oysters | Fried Fish | Full Salad Bar | Sweet Potato Fries
Steamed Shrimp | Clam Fritters | Boardwalk Fries | Clam Strips | Raw Oysters & Clams
Grilled Tyson Chicken | Clam Chowder | Hushpuppies | Cornbread
Non-Alcoholic Beverages | Beer sold separately (You must be 21 years of age to purchase beer.)
LIVE MUSIC PERFORMED BY FRONT PAGE NEWS AND A FUN DANCING EXPERIENCE!
Thank you to our 2018 ‘Friends of the Festival’ Sponsors!
AARD-ALLTUF Screenprinting & Embroidery
Capt. Zack’s Seafood Carryouts
Don’s Seafood Restaurant
Jack Tarr Electrical Contractor
Steamers Seafood Restaurant
Sysco Eastern Maryland, LLC
Watson Gas
Captain Clam Sponsorship
Derrickson Construction LLC
LJT & Associates, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Pearlie Oyster Sponsorship
Coldwell Banker Harbor Realty
OVM Financial
Taylor Bank
Virginia Tourism Corporation – Virginia Welcome Center at New Church
Susie Shrimp Radio Sponsorship
Chesapeake Outdoor LLC
Chincoteague Island Arts Organization
Comfort Suites
Dockside Properties LLC
Goldsborough’s Marine
Freddy Fish T-Shirt Sponsorship
A&N Electric Cooperative
Ginsberg, Nottingham & Mapp
Ray’s Shanty Restaurant
Sea Shell Motel, Inc.
Seaside Vacations, LLC
Hospitality Vendors
Bath Fitter
Chincoteague Island House of Jerky
Chincoteague Island KOA
Fairfield Inn & Suites / The Ropewalk
GSB Media
Herl’s Bath & Tile Solutions
Island Queen Apiary / Mudboy Guitar Works
LuLaRoe Ashley Donovan
LuLaRoe by Cindy Ott
Maui Jack’s
Arts & Crafts Tent Vendors
Bead-a-licious / Crystal Fairy – Barb Prevento
Blackway Boat Models – Bruce Blackway
Carol’s Creative Crafts – Carol Brooks
Designs by Deena LLC – Deena Greenwood
Fahnestock Hairclips – Lisa Fahnestock
Howl Naturale – Inge Veneziano
Kathy Stuart
Lauri Fisher
Rustic and Rescued – Kelly Majerus
The Doll Closet – Linda Redmond
‘Friend of the Festival’, Hospitality and Arts & Crafts Vendor Spaces Are Currently Available.
Application deadline is March 16. Click here for the 2018 Vendor Application.
The festival provides a venue to sample the best-of-the-best local seafood.
It is a spring tradition here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia…be a part of it.
COVER CREDIT: "Assateague Lighthouse" Magazine Collage by Laura Laird
INSIDE COVER CREDIT: Laura Davis
