How to Experience Pony Penning in Chincoteague , VA

Every year on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July the wild ponies of Assateague, a small island on Maryland's Eastern Shore, are rounded up and swum across the narrow channel separating Assateague from the neighboring Virginia island of Chincoteague. There on Chincoteague most of the foals are auctioned off and the proceeds from the sal are uses to help care for the wild ponies who remain on Assateague. In addition to the pony swim and auction, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department also hosts a carnival, and the event draws thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Things You'll Need

• Old clothes and shoes you won't mind wearing in the wet sand
• Insect repellent
• Sunblock
• A camera

Instructions

1. Prepare for the event by reading (or re-reading) "Misty of Chincoteague", Marguerite Henry's 1947 classic that put Chincoteague on the map and made Pony Penning the world-famous event it is today. There is also a movie made in 1961 that was filmed on the island and includes actual footage of the pony swim.

2. Book your lodgings as far ahead of time as you can. Chincoteague is a small island, and although it does have a fair number of hotels and motels (and there is camping available on Assateague Island should you prefer), all of the lodgings are reserved for the last week in July well in advance.

3. Wake up very early on the Wednesday morning so you can park at Chincoteague High School for the pony swim shuttle which will take you to Chincoteague Memorial Park (the best viewing spot). Parking starts at 6 AM.

4. Watch for your first sight of the ponies and the "saltwater cowboys" who accompany them across the Assateague Channel. Depending on how the roundup goes and how the tides are running, the ponies could make the crossing anytime between 7 AM and 11 AM.

5. Head over to the Carnival Grounds for a meal served by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chincoteague VFD. Be sure to try the fried oysters.

6. Enjoy the carnival attractions - rides, music and refreshments. The fun starts at 6:30 PM and goes on until 11 PM.

7. Head over to the auction on Thursday morning - it takes place between 8 AM and noon. If you'd like to bid on a pony, be aware that the average selling price is around $2000 per foal, and that you will need to have arranged your transportation ahead of time.

8. Have another delicious meal from the Ladies' Auxiliary - they will be serving starting at 11 AM on both Wednesday and Thursday. The carnival runs from Wednesday through Saturday.

9. Watch the ponies swim back to Assateague on Friday morning. This tends to be a somewhat more low-key event, as the excitement of the auction is over and many of the out-of-town visitors have already departed (or are at least choosing to sleep in).

Resources

• The Ponies of Chincoteague and Pony Penning