Events Calendar

Events for Friday, March 29, 2024

Heritage Days

Location: Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Starts: {ts '1970-01-01 10:00:00'}
Ends: {ts '1970-01-01 16:00:00'}

Join the Museum of Chincoteague Island on their 2024 season opening as they celebrate Heritage Days. The museum will be open Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 from 10am - 4pm.

They will unveil their new exhibit for the season called “Remember When” which will be a fond look back at some of the people and places from the 1950’s-1970’s.

Look for a list of all the events for that weekend coming soon.

Facebook Event Page.

Museum of Chincoteague Island Presents Art Sea

Location: Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Starts: {ts '1970-01-01 10:00:00'}

The Museum of Chincoteague Island presents Art Sea, an annual 5x5 art online auction featuring 5x5 canvas original artwork from professional and novice artists which have been donated to support the museum.

Starting bids: $55 Adult Art and $25 Youth Art

Auction bidding will go live on March 29 at 10am and the auction link will be available on the Museum Facebook, Instagram and in person at the Museum, 7125 Maddox Boulevard.

Artwork can be viewed at the Museum of Chincoteague Island during normal business hours - Fridays and Saturdays beginning March 29 or by calling 757-336-6117.

43rd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival

Location: Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Starts: {ts '1970-01-01 12:00:00'}
Ends: {ts '1970-01-01 17:00:00'}

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.

43rd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival

March 29 & 30, 2024
Friday, March 29 – Noon to 5:00pm
Saturday, March 30 – 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.
Admission is cash only, so please plan accordingly.

FESTIVAL EVENTS:

Friday & Saturday -
- All Day — Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Offering Children’s Crafts; Main Hallway
- All Day — Capt E's Hurricane Grill Food Truck Serving Lunch Friday & Breakfast/Lunch Saturday; Outside
- All Day — Arthur Leonard Carving Demonstrations; Gym

Friday -
- All Day — Ellie & Caden, Musicians; Gym Stage

Saturday -
- 10:30 — Nan Carlton Mosteller, Exhibitor, Performing A Skit & Reading Her Children's Picture Book, "Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At The Shore"; Gym Stage
- 12:00 - 2:00 — JoAnn Stratakos, Exhibitor, Felted Wool Bunny Class — $50; Cafeteria
- 12:00 - 2:00 — Emily Guemple, Musician; Gym Stage
- 3:00 — Awards Announced
- 4:00 — Wooden Easter Egg Silent Auction Ends / Pick Up By 5:00

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. Cash, check, and credit card accepted.

New for 2024! Learn the art of wool felting at the festival with artist and exhibitor JoAnn Stratakos and make an adorable felted wool bunny on homemade pottery stand. Learn all the details and sign up as space is limited.

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 2024 Easter Decoy & Art Festival Exhibitor Application.

MEET THE EXHIBITORS | AUCTIONS | AWARD WINNERS | CURTIS MERRITT