2010-2011 EVENTS (last updated 1/6/2011)

Dates: April 22 & 23, 2011

Location: Chincoteague Combined School, Chincoteague Island, VA

Easter Art & Craft Fair - This 3-day event includes over 100 exhibitors displaying unique hand-crafted items: wearable art, jewelry, garden decor, toys, florals, fine art and more!

Dates & Times : April 22-23, 2011 (10AM-5PM)

Location: Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 40th St., Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 213-8090 for more information.

2nd Saturday Art Stroll - Participating art galleries and shops hold special events and demonstrations with extended open hours.

Date: 2nd Saturday (April-November)

Location: Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-5636 for more information

MD International Kite Exposition - One of the largest kite festivals with multi-level precision flying events. Special displays by internationally known kite flyers.

Dates & Times: April 29-30 & May 1, 2011

Location:6th St. & Boardwalk to N. Division St., Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 289-7855 for more information.

Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition - One of the of prestigious competitions of wildfowl carving events. This event includes benefit auction, classes, seminars, children's activities, carver's art shop and over 150 exhibitors of art and supplies.

Dates & Time: April 29-30, 2011 (Friday 10PM-5PM, Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM)

Location: Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 742-4988 ext. 120 for more information.

Annual Seafood Festival - For over 30 years this event has featured famous Chincoteague oysters, clams, fresh fish and more. An internationally well known event with attendants that often include members of the Senate, Virginia's Governor, and well known celebrities. Held by Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Date: May 4, 2011

Location: Tom's Cove Park, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 787-2460 for more information.

Springfest - Sponsored by The Town of Ocean City, this nationally known event kicks off the start of Summer with food, arts and crafts, children's activities and entertainment.

Dates & Time: May 5-8, 2011

Location: Inlet Parking Area, South End of Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD

Annual International Migratory Bird Celebration - Event that recognizes the Eastern Shore of Virginia and its wetlands as a vital migration area for migratory birds along the Atlantic Coastal Flyway.

Date & Time: May 7, 2011

Location: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island, VA

Climb the Assateague Lighthouse or participate in the environmental education programs.

Call (757) 336-6122 for more information.

Cruisin' Ocean City - A popular car show featuring 3,000 hot rods, customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars & more. Live entertainment & special attractions.

Dates & Times: May 19-22 , 2011 (Thursday-Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 9AM-4PM)

Location: Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay, Inlet Parking Lot, Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 798-6304 for more information

The Blessing of the Fleet - An event to give blessings to protect the watermen from harm and ensure a good fishing season. Include a water parade by local boats from the Town Dock to Curtis Merritt Harbor.

Dates: May 29, 2011

Location: Robert Reed Waterfront Park, Chincoteague Island, VA

MD State Firemen's Parade - Annual parade with fire apparatus, marching units, etc.

Date & Time: June 22, 2011 (NOON-3PM)

Location: Inlet to 9th St. along Baltimore Ave, .Ocean City, MD

Art's Alive - Fine art at the beach as over 100 aritists display and sell their art works.

Dates & Time: June 18 & 19, 2011 (Saturday 9AM-6PM, SUNDAY 9AM-5PM)

Location: Northside Park, 125th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD

Call 1-800-626-2326 for more information.

Chincoteague Firemen's Carnival - Annual event with food, amusement rides, raffles and live entertainment. Every Friday & Saturday during July.

Dates & Time: July 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 25-30, 2011

Location: Carnival ground, Chincoteague Island, VA

Chincoteague Firemen's Carnival Fireworks - A spectacular fireworks disply held by Chincoteague Firmen. Annual July 4th event. Eat an oyster sandwich during the show by the bay.

Date & Time: July 4, 2011 (10PM)

Location: Carnival ground, Chincoteague Island, VA

Ocean City 4th of July Fireworks & Concert- A spectacular fireworks display and live concerts near the beach in Ocean City. Annual July 4th event.

Date & Time: July 4, 2011 (Concert 8PM, Fireworks 9:30PM)

Location: Northside Park on 125th St & on beach at the inlet, Ocean City, MD

OC Tuna Tournament - Sport fishing tournament with a winning prize of over $500,000.

Dates & Time: July 15-17, 2011 (Weigh-ins Friday-Saturday 4PM-7:30PM, Sunday 4PM-7PM)

Location: OC Fishing Center, off Rt. 50 at Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City, MD

Call (800) 322-3065 for more information.

Chincoteague Blueberry Festival - Celebrate one of the nature's tastiest and most healthy gift: "Blueberry." Annual event with fresh blueberries and baked goods, ice cream and other delicacies featuring the blueberry. Crafts, arts, entertainment and more!

Dates: July 22-24, 2011 (9AM-4:30PM)

Location: Chincoteague Center, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 824-3868 for more information.

Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim - Annual event that brings thousands of spectators who travel from all over the world to see theVirginia herd of approx. 150 Assateague Ponies swim across Assateague Channel. Usually held on the last Wednesday in July.

Date & Time: July 27, 2011 (On slack tide between 7AM-1PM)

See the wild pony swim page for more details or call (757) 336-6161 for more information.

Wild Pony Auction - One of the highlighting events during Pony Penning. Ponies (yearlings or younger), owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co., are sold only on this day. Approx. 80 foals are sold each year. Usually held on the last Thursday in July.

Date & Time: July 28, 2011 (8AM-NOON)

Location: Carnival ground corral, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-6161 for more information.

White Marlin Open - Offshore fishing tournament for white marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark. Over $3.5 million in prizes and awards.

Dates & Time: August 8-12, 2011 (Weigh-ins 4PM-9PM)

Location: Harbor Island Marina on 14th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 289-9229 for more information.

Chincoteague Decoy Carver's Assoc. Decoy Show - Over 25 artists display some of the finest waterfowl carvings and wildlife art.

Date & Time: September 3 & 4, 2011 (Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM)

Location: Chincoteague Center, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (410) 546-1635 for more information.

Sunfest - Celebrate the beginning of fall season with four days of music, arts and crasts, a variety of food, entertainment, children's activities and more.

Dates & Time: September 22-25, 2011 (Thursday-Saturday 10AM-10PM, Sunday 10AM-6PM)

Location: Inlet Parking Area, South End of Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD

Call (800) 626-2326 for more information.

Sunfest Kite Festival - East Coast's premier sport kite competition. A three-day event of kite flying including workshops, kite competitions, games and spectacular kite flying displays.

Dates: September 22-25, 2011 (9AM-9PM)

Location: On the Beach between 1st St. and 6th St., Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 289-7855 for more information.

Endless Summer Cruisin' - Over 1,500 street rods, custom and classic cars on display plus Boardwalk parades, entertainment and more.

Dates: October 6-9, 2011 (Thursday-Saturday 9AM-5PM, SUNDAY 9AM-4PM)

Location: Inlet Parking Lot, Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 798-6304 for more information.

Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival - Fresh oyster sandwiches, raw oysters, steamed oysters, fried oysters and more all you can eat. Held on Columbus Day Weekend.

Date & Time: October 8, 2011 (10AM-4PM)

Location: Maddox Family Campground, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-6161 for more information.

Chili & Chowder Cookoff sponsored by the Historic Main Street Merchants Assoc. Enjoy chili, chowder and other delicious food.

Date: October 15, 2011

Location: Robert Reed Waterfront Park, Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-3700 for more information.

Christmas Craft Expo - A variety of arts and crafts for Christmas.A unique opportunity to shop for the special gift.

Dates: November 5-6, 2011 (Saturday 10M-5PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM)

Location: Convention Center, 40th & Bay, Ocean City, MD

Call (410) 524-9177 for more information.

Assateague Island Waterfowl Week Celebration - A variety of guided walks will be offered during the nine-day event. Run through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dates: November 19-27, 2011

Location: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-6122 for more information.

The Annual Deborah Waterfowl Show & Auction - Sponsored by the Chincoteague Chapter of the Deborah Hospital Foundation. Over 100 carvers and other artists will participate.

Dates: November 25 & 26, 2011 (Friday 1PM-7PM, Saturday 9AM-7PM)

Location: Chincoteague Island, VA

Call (757) 336-3478 for further information.

Ocean City Christmas Parade - Annual holiday parade with marching bands, antique cars, floats, equestrian units and more. Beginning of December.

Date & Time: December 3, 2011 (Starts at 11AM)

Location: Starts at 100th St. and ends at Gold Coast Mall at 115th St.

Call (410) 524-9000 for more information.

Chincoteague Annual Christmas Parade - Annual holiday parade with fire engines, marching bands and floats from the Eastern Shore.

Date & Time: December 3, 2011

Location: Historic downtown, Chincoteague Island, VA

New Years Eve Celebration on Chincoteague Island

Bring in the new year with a raw oyster and a wild pony.

New Year's Eve Celebration in Ocean City

Many restaurants, hotels and clubs offer various New Year's Eve celebrations.