Events Calendar

The 101st Annual Pony Auction will take place at the Carnival grounds, 3648 Main Street, beginning at 8am with NO chairs or placeholding permitted before then. 

Bidders/viewers will be allowed in at 6am in a first come first served manner that morning, you can park in the parking lot but nobody will be granted access until 6am and all persons or items are subject to search. Any chairs placed before then will be removed by law enforcement.

Learn more about Pony Swim HERE - including the Official Pony Swim Guide with helpful hints, full schedule of events, updated maps and logistics, tips for getting the most out of the week, and details on security measures, road closures, trolley schedule, and shuttle stops.

This information is verified by and provided in partnership between the Town of Chincoteague, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, and Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce.

PLEASE NOTE: 

All times for Chincoteague Pony Swim festivities are subject to change based on weather, tides, and other operational considerations. We encourage attendees to check for the latest updates throughout the week, as schedules may be adjusted to ensure the safety of the ponies, Saltwater Cowboys, volunteers, and spectators.

No pets or emotional support animals are permitted on shuttle buses, Pony Express trolleys, on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, at Veteran's Memorial Park, or at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds. Service animals specifically trained to aid a disabled person are permitted. 

Summer Tales 4 Tots for children 2–5 (Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Library):

• July 2: Shell Painting
• July 9: Atlantic Union Bank with Emily
• July 16: Dinosaurs
• July 23: Toddler Tumbling at the YMCA
• July 30 at 1 p.m.: Chincoteague Pony visit with Kendy
• August 6: NASA with Daniel
• August 13: Chincoteague Bay Field Station

Young Explorers for children 5 and older (Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall):

• July 2: Chincoteague Bay Field Station
• July 9: YMCA Exercise at the YMCA
• July 16: Clay Art by Jackie Allen
• July 23: Assateague Culture & Shell Jewelry at the Library
• July 30 at 1 p.m.: Chincoteague Pony visit with Kendy
• August 6: Shell Art by Jackie Allen
• August 13: Virginia Spaceport Authority

We are thrilled to announce an “ Afternoon with Rebecca Beebe”. She will be here between 1:00 and 3:00 PM to personalize your book purchase. Currently, we have all four books in the Misty collection in paperback and in hardcover.

The hardcover collection also includes a stamp of Grandpa Beebe’s branding iron. This is a very unique offering that is exclusive at the Beebe Ranch. 

Meet Author Joy MillerUpton 

Journeys Finding Joy on Horseback

Enjoy a FREE screening of MISTY. Doors open at 2pm.

PONY BOOK CELEBRATION WITH AUTHOR SUSAN FRIEDLAND

Join author Susan Friedland Thursday July 30th from 3:30-5:00 PM, for a special afternoon at the library celebrating the beloved world of ponies and the legacy of Misty of Chincoteague.

Susan will begin the program with a reading of her new children's picture book, Swirl: My Wild Island Pony, a heartwarming story about a young bookworm who dreams of her very own Chincoteague foal, and has a magical meetup with a runaway filly during Pony Penning Week.

She will then share the fascinating backstory of Marguerite Henry, the award-winning author of Misty of Chincoteague, drawing from her memoir Marguerite, Misty and Me. Learn about Henry's life, her 1946 visit to Chincoteague Island, and how Misty became one of the most beloved pony stories of all time.

Swing by the library at 3:30 PM for a fun-filled pony celebration!

Perfect for horse lovers, Misty fans, families, and readers of all ages.

📚 Author Talk • Picture Book Reading • Q&A

7/30/26 3:30-5:00 PM

*Susan will be signing copies of her books at Sundial Bookstore at 2:00 PM, before the program.