Chincoteague Events
Jul 27, 2022
97th Annual Pony Swim
The 97th Annual Pony Swim will take place at slack tide, which will be between the approx. hours of 7am – 1pm. A more definitive time will be announced earlier in the week.
For more information including helpful hints and shuttle bus information, please visit, ChincoteagueChamber.com/Pony-Penning/.
Oct 8, 2022
Chincoteague Oyster Festival
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.
49th Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival
CELEBRATING CHINCOTEAGUE ‘SALTS’ & THE BEGINNING OF OYSTER SEASON
October 8, 2022
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tom’s Cove Park
8128 Beebe Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Locate the Festival on Google Maps
Tickets are $55 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)
REFUND POLICY – Event is held rain or shine. 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. All sales are final in case of ticketholder cancellation or organizer postponement. If the event is cancelled by the organizer or due to circumstances beyond our control, tickets may be transferred to a future festival or refunded at 80% within 60 days of cancellation. After that time, only ticket transfers to future festivals will be honored.
Tickets are limited, so order early!!! This is a sell out event!
10:00 am – Gates open (NO EARLY ENTRY FOR SETUP) Any items set up prior to 10am on festival day are subject to removal.
11:00 am – Appetizer tents begin serving – Clam Chowder, Shrimp Cocktail, Salad Bar, Boardwalk Fries, Hushpuppies, Hot Dogs
12:00 pm – Seafood tents begins serving – Raw Oysters, Steamed Oysters, Single Fried Oysters, Oyster Fritters, Clam Fritters
Live music begins with Island Boy
4:00 pm – Festival ends
6:00 pm – Due to insurance liability purposes, all attendees and volunteers must exit the festival grounds
PLEASE NOTE:
All e-tickets must be scanned either by our volunteer scanners at the entrance of Toms Cove Park or at the Will Call tent to acquire festival wristband.
All attendees must have a festival wristband prior to entrance to festival grounds.
Attendees can come and go to the festival grounds from 10am – noon.
No re-entry to festival grounds after noon. Upon leaving festival grounds, wristbands will be cut.
All attendees age 21 and over MUST provide a photo ID at the beer tent in order to purchase beer. No exceptions!
Beer tent and desserts only accept cash, so please come prepared!
Due to the popularity of the seafood we offer, we cannot guarantee that each item will be available up until 4pm.
Eat all you want, but please do not remove food from the festival grounds.
No pets, vehicles, golf carts, one wheels, bicycles or fire pits/rings are permitted inside the festival grounds for safety purposes.
LEARN MORE:
HELPFUL HINTS | DIRECTIONS & PARKING | EXTRAVAGANZA OF PRIZES RAFFLE & BEST SPACE | MERCHANDISE (Arrives approx. one week before festival)
UPON PURCHASE OF TICKET(S), YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
We thank you for cooperation in making this a wonderful festival! See you on festival day!
Tickets can be purchased by clicking the ‘BUY NOW’ button (once online selling commences), calling 757-336-6161 or stopping by the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague.
Apr 7, 2023
42nd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival
The Easter Decoy & Art Festival is held to celebrate the history and craft of decoy carving and where local and national decoy carvers and artists of all kinds; fine art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, etc. exhibit and sell their work at this Chincoteague Island tradition. Exhibitors carve and create on site and are eager to talk about the love of their work.
Come eager to learn from the finest and purchase some of their works to treasure yourself or to give as a gift.
Easter Decoy & Art Festival Video – click on image
42nd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival
April 7 & 8, 2023
Friday, April 7 – Noon to 5:00pm
Saturday, April 8 – 9:00am – 4:00pm (People’s Choice voting ends 2pm. Exhibitor awards announced 3pm. Auctions end 4pm.)
Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
$5.00 admission each day; children under 12 are free
Awards are given in various categories; carving, art and photography. Children receive a Children’s Choice Award ribbon upon admission to present to their favorite artist while festival attendees vote for People’s Choice Awards for best carver and best artist. Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague is chosen by jury. The highest award given each year is the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence. This is awarded to the exhibitor who displays excellence as an individual, as well as an artist and/or carver and is voted on solely by the exhibitors. Awards are announced at 3pm on Saturday.
Wooden Easter eggs are meticulously hand carved, painted and/or embellished by exhibitors and are sold through a silent auction to the highest bidder. This auction has been a highlight of the show each year, with some eggs fetching a handsome sum. Auction closes at 4pm on Saturday.
The Pre-loved Treasures Silent Auction has also been a favorite in recent years. More information about this will be forthcoming.
If you attend the festival on Friday and want to check on the status of your silent auction bids, a bidding pass is available. Please ask at the admissions desk.
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Download and print the 2022 Easter Decoy & Art Festival Exhibitor Application. There have been some changes to the application from previous years, so please read thoroughly before submitting.
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MEET THE EXHIBITORS | AUCTIONS | AWARD WINNERS | CURTIS MERRITT
Apr 8, 2023
42nd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival
The Easter Decoy & Art Festival is held to celebrate the history and craft of decoy carving and where local and national decoy carvers and artists of all kinds; fine art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, etc. exhibit and sell their work at this Chincoteague Island tradition. Exhibitors carve and create on site and are eager to talk about the love of their work.
Come eager to learn from the finest and purchase some of their works to treasure yourself or to give as a gift.
Easter Decoy & Art Festival Video – click on image
42nd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival
April 7 & 8, 2023
Friday, April 7 – Noon to 5:00pm
Saturday, April 8 – 9:00am – 4:00pm (People’s Choice voting ends 2pm. Exhibitor awards announced 3pm. Auctions end 4pm.)
Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
$5.00 admission each day; children under 12 are free
Awards are given in various categories; carving, art and photography. Children receive a Children’s Choice Award ribbon upon admission to present to their favorite artist while festival attendees vote for People’s Choice Awards for best carver and best artist. Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague is chosen by jury. The highest award given each year is the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence. This is awarded to the exhibitor who displays excellence as an individual, as well as an artist and/or carver and is voted on solely by the exhibitors. Awards are announced at 3pm on Saturday.
Wooden Easter eggs are meticulously hand carved, painted and/or embellished by exhibitors and are sold through a silent auction to the highest bidder. This auction has been a highlight of the show each year, with some eggs fetching a handsome sum. Auction closes at 4pm on Saturday.
The Pre-loved Treasures Silent Auction has also been a favorite in recent years. More information about this will be forthcoming.
If you attend the festival on Friday and want to check on the status of your silent auction bids, a bidding pass is available. Please ask at the admissions desk.
____________________
Download and print the 2022 Easter Decoy & Art Festival Exhibitor Application. There have been some changes to the application from previous years, so please read thoroughly before submitting.
____________________
MEET THE EXHIBITORS | AUCTIONS | AWARD WINNERS | CURTIS MERRITT
May 6, 2023
Chincoteague Seafood Festival
The Chincoteague Seafood Festival is held the first Saturday in May to promote the seafood industry on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The festival offers fresh, local seafood and will include exciting offerings and signature dishes from local restaurants as well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals. Indulge on little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, along with raw oysters and clams, clam fritters and strips, single fried oysters, fried fish, shrimp, clam chowder, salad bar, grilled chicken, sweet potato fries, Boardwalk fries, hushpuppies, and cornbread. Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price with beer available for purchase.
Front Page News will provide live entertainment for everyone’s listening and dancing enjoyment.
Shop to your hearts content in the Arts and Crafts tent featuring handmade creations from area artisans.
An Extravaganza Raffle is held with the winner receiving t-shirts, tickets, trays, lodging, gift certificates for meals, and much more for the following year’s festival.
There will also be a variety of souvenirs available for purchase.
53rd Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
An Eastern Shore Tradition Since 1968
Saturday May 6, 2023
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tom’s Cove Park
8128 Beebe Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Locate the Festival on Google Maps
Tickets are $60 per person (Children under 5 are FREE)
REFUND POLICY – Event is held rain or shine. 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. All sales are final in case of ticketholder cancellation or organizer postponement. If the event is cancelled by the organizer or due to circumstances beyond our control, tickets may be transferred to a future festival or refunded at 80% within 60 days of cancellation. After that time, only ticket transfers to future festivals will be honored.
Tickets are limited, so order early!!! This is a sell out event!
10:00 am – Gates open (NO EARLY ENTRY FOR SETUP) Any items set up prior to 10am on festival day are subject to removal.
11:00 am – Appetizer tents begin serving – Clam Chowder, Salad Bar, Boardwalk Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Hushpuppies, Cornbread, Grilled Chicken
12:00 pm – Seafood tents begins serving – Raw Oysters & Clams, “Little Neck” Steamed Clams, Single Fried Oysters, Fried Fish, Steamed Shrimp, Clam Fritters, Clam Strips
Live music begins with Front Page News
4:00 pm – Festival ends
6:00 pm – Due to insurance liability purposes, all attendees and volunteers must exit the festival grounds
PLEASE NOTE:
All e-tickets must be scanned either by our volunteer scanners at the entrance of Toms Cove Park or at the Will Call tent to acquire festival wristband.
All attendees must have a festival wristband prior to entrance to festival grounds.
Attendees can come and go to the festival grounds from 10am – noon.
No re-entry to festival grounds after noon. Upon leaving festival grounds, wristbands will be cut.
All attendees age 21 and over MUST provide a photo ID at the beer tent in order to purchase beer. No exceptions!
Beer tent and desserts only accept cash. Some Arts & Crafts vendors only accept cash, so please come prepared!
Due to the popularity of the seafood we offer, we cannot guarantee that each item will be available up until 4pm.
Eat all you want, but please do not remove food from the festival grounds.
No pets, vehicles, golf carts, one wheels, bicycles or fire pits/rings are permitted inside the festival grounds for safety purposes.
LEARN MORE:
HELPFUL HINTS | DIRECTIONS & PARKING | EXTRAVAGANZA OF PRIZES RAFFLE | MERCHANDISE (Arrives approx. one week before festival)
UPON PURCHASE OF TICKET(S), YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
We thank you for cooperation in making this a wonderful festival! See you on festival day!
Tickets are no longer being sold in outlets. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the ‘BUY NOW’ button (WHEN AVAILABLE), calling 757-336-6161 or stopping by the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague.
Below will be updated in January 2023.
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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.
Click here for the 2022 Seafood Festival Sponsorship & Hospitality Application.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 ‘FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL’ SPONSORS
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Capt. Zack’s Seafood Carryouts
Don’s Seafood Restaurant
Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC
WatsonGas
PLATINUM BAND SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
Coastline Chemical, Inc.
Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc.
Tyson Foods
Weichert Realtors, Mason-Davis
SILVER SPONSOR
Chincoteague Resort Vacations
J. Stacey Hart Engineering
OVM Financial
Rustic & Rescued Antiques
Shoreline Building Company
Virginia Welcome Center at New Church
RADIO SPONSOR
Church Street Produce
Comfort Suites Chincoteague Island Bayfront Resort
Goldsborough’s Marine
Hawbaker’s Welding
Key West Cottages
PNC Bank
Tri-Meta Wellness Center
T-SHIRT SPONSOR
Captain Dan’s Island Tours
Channel Bass Inn
Chincoteague Center
Chincoteague Island Community Cats
Church Street Produce
Dockside Properties
Ginsberg, Nottingham & Mapp
Hampton Inn & Suites
Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague
Landmark Insurance & Financial Group
Lea Anna Bailey – Long & Foster Real Estate
Lewis Home Solutions
Ray’s Shanty
Sea Shell Motel
Sunshine Cottage
Taylor Bank
HOSPITALITY
Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission
Island Queen Apiary / Mudboy Guitar Works
Lisa Fahnestock
ARTS & CRAFTS UNDER THE BIG TENT
Beth Mills – Bay Blessings
Brie Matthews – Hooked on Stitches
Fred Johnson – Dream Givers Studio
JoAnn Stratakos – MudWorks Pottery
Kara Beth Pruitt – Bayside Candle Co.
Enhance your Chincoteague Island experience with events happening throughout the year; including the Easter Decoy & Art Festival, Chincoteague Oyster Festival and Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.
