Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday

The Chincoteague Pony Swim takes place Wednesday morning, marking the centerpiece of the 101st Annual Pony Penning celebration.

The world-famous event is expected to begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, during slack tide, when the Saltwater Cowboys guide the wild Chincoteague ponies across the Assateague Channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the shoreline for the brief but unforgettable swim, a tradition that has become one of Virginia’s best-known summer events.

Immediately after reaching Chincoteague, the ponies will parade to the carnival grounds, where they’ll remain until Thursday’s annual foal auction.

The auction begins at 8:00 Thursday morning. Proceeds help the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company care for and manage the herd while preserving the tradition that dates back a century.

The celebration concludes Friday morning when the remaining ponies make the return swim to Assateague Island during slack tide, where they’ll resume life on the island until next year’s Pony Penning.

Visitors are urged to arrive early, expect heavy traffic throughout the week, and follow directions from law enforcement and event volunteers. Whether watching from the shoreline or downtown, organizers say this year’s centennial celebration promises to be one of the largest in the event’s history.

WESR’s Tom and Brett Parks will be on hand both Wednesday and Thursday mornings to provide live updates on the Pony Swim and the Auction.