Chincoteague Announces New Spring Events, Cancels 2021 Pony Penning

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Oversize chairs spell out LOVE at Chincoteague’s Robert Reed Waterfront Park. Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce photo.

By Carol Vaughn —

Chincoteague is adapting several of its annual events in 2021 to account for ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce announced a Decoy, Art & Getaway Auction as an alternative to the Easter Decoy and Art Festival traditionally held Easter weekend.
“Visiting with favorite carvers and artists became a tradition for many over the past 40 years. However, due to continued restrictions and safety concerns associated with COVID-19, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce has created an alternative this year,” the chamber announced in a press release.
The virtual Decoy, Art & Getaway Auction will be hosted online by Zeb B. Barfield, Inc., at https://www.zebsauctions.com/
The auction will run from Eastern Sunday, April 4, through April 17 at 5 p.m.
Items may be previewed in person at the Chincoteague Center, at 6155 Community Drive, on Friday, April 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Items bought at auction can be picked up at the Chincoteague Center on Sunday, April 18, from noon to 3 p.m., or shipping can be arranged at an added cost.
Items include decoys; original oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings; painted furniture; shell art; Misty movie memorabilia; old Easter Decoy Festival posters; decorated wooden Easter Eggs; copper art; and more, with new items arriving daily.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to support our business community, artisans, and chamber mission,” the release said.
The chamber encouraged visitors to plan a spring getaway weekend to Chincoteague that weekend, when they can enjoy outdoor activities and “then bid in the privacy of your hotel room, campground, cottage, or bed and breakfast while relaxing with a glass of wine watching the sunset.”

Information about the event is at https://www.facebook.com/events/2844568229124956

Around the Tump in 3 Days
The chamber announced in February the annual Seafood Festival, scheduled for May 1, was canceled.
Would-be attendees are being notified about the cancellation but are being encouraged not to cancel their reservations on the island for that weekend.
The alternative event, called “Around the Tump in 3 Days,” is planned to showcase hotels, eateries, shops, and other Chincoteague attractions.
Participants will purchase a #LoveCIVA playing card at the chamber office, with participating business specials, discounts, and offerings for the weekend of rApril 30 through May 2.
When a participant visits a business, the person will get his or her card marked. People who complete a certain number of squares will receive extra tickets for the Extravaganza Raffle, typically part of the Seafood Festival.

Information about the event is at https://www.facebook.com/events/276347233868829

Pony Penning Canceled for 2021
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company announced Tuesday it is cancelling the 2021 carnival and Pony Penning.
“ By now we would already be more than half way through the planning phases and preparing for upcoming events.
“Given the current orders from the Governor of Virginia we would not be able to have these events and not knowing when or if restrictions would be lifted in time to open,” a post on the fire company’s Facebook page said.
The pony auction will be conducted online, as it was in 2020. T-shirts also will be sold online.
For anyone who purchased raffle tickets in support of the Brianna Kindness Park, giving two front-row seats to the Pony Swim, the winning ticket will be honored for the 2022 swim.
“This has been a rough year for everyone. So many people have suffered unimaginable losses but I’m so confident that we all will bounce back in 2022 and that it will be the best year ever!!!” CVFC president Hunter Leonard said in the post.
Leonard thanked the fire company’s supporters and said announcements about the auction will be made on the CVFC Facebook page.

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