Chincoteague Island Bed & Breakfast, The Watson Guest House

We had 8 bikes.
8 years owning the property and this is first time anything stolen. 🥺
Very sad.

Leave the car behind and hop aboard the Town of Chincoteague, Inc. Pony Express trolleys this Memorial Day weekend to enjoy dinner, dessert, and the sites. The trolleys will run Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday for your convenience from 5pm - 10pm.

Please note: This is an update from the printed schedule.

Learn more at https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/trolley-schedule

ATTENTION 2024 Chincoteague Seafood Festival ATTENDEES-
Please be reminded that parking is limited at Tom's Cove Park and will fill up. We encourage you to utilize the FREE trolley service that is paid for by the Chincoteague Chamber, which will drop you off right across the street from the Will Call tent and gate. The trolley will run the green and red routes from 9am -5pm and will also pick up from the High School, 4586 Main Street. After 5pm, there is a 50 cent charge per person. Learn more about the trolley routes and details at https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/trolley-schedule

Chincoteague Seafood Festival tickets are going fast! All festival details and purchasing information can be found at https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/events/chincoteague-seafood-festival-2

An Eastern Shore Tradition Since 1968… The Chincoteague Seafood Festival🐠🦐

Book your 2-night stay with us from May 3-5 and receive TWO FREE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL TICKETS🎟️✨ The festival is May 4th from 10am-4pm, and tickets are going fast!!

CALL TODAY TO REDEEM THIS OFFER AT THE REEF:
📲 (757) 336-5667
🛏️ Each of our Villas sleeps up to 6 people

“Held on the first Saturday in May to promote the seafood industry on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The festival offers fresh, local seafood and will include exciting offerings and signature dishes from local restaurants as well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals”’

Clarence Beebe poses with his herd of Chincoteague ponies at the 1938 Pony Penning.

Long before he appeared in Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague as "Grandpa Beebe," Clarence Beebe was the island's foremost pony afficianado and producer.

Photo by Barrington Elliott for the Richmond News Leader.

Foal #2 is here!
Mary Read & Hoppy
Bay Pinto Filly
First seen 3/27/24


Mary Read had Foal #2 last year too!

LAUNCH UPDATE: WELCOME TO LAUNCH WEEK!

We’re targeting no earlier than 2:40 a.m. EDT, March 21 to launch on a Rocket Lab rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at Virginia Spaceport Authority's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.

Follow along this week to get ready for the launch!

Chincoteague Island is gearing up for an action-packed March!

⭐ March 20th: Mark your calendars for as Rocket Lab's Electron prepares for liftoff at Wallops Island, VA. 🚀🚀

⭐ March 29th - 30th: Easter Decoy & Art Festival the island's rich tradition of decoy carving and explore a treasure trove of fine art. 🎨🦆

Babies

NaP

The Museum of Chincoteague Island will be open today and tomorrow from 10 until 4 PM. It would be a great time to come over and get your tickets for Buckaroo Bingo! This fun, family event generally sells out, so getting your tickets in advance is a great idea. Prizes for this year‘s bingo include gift certificates to local restaurants and hotels, artwork from local artists, and a and lots for the pony lovers. The museum is located at 7125 Maddox Blvd. Call 7573366117 if you would like more information.

It's almost here folks! PONY PENNING 2023!!

Saturday July 22nd
Southern Herd Roundup Starting at 7am

Sunday July 23rd
Northern Herd Roundup Starting at 6am

Monday July 24th
Northern Herd Beach Walk Starting at 6am

Tuesday July 25th
Vet Checks

Wednesday July 26th SWIM DAY
Swim time is forecasted to be between 8:30-10:30 am.

Thursday July 27th Auction Day
Auction will start at 8am and will be hybrid like last year, a live auction with online streaming and bidding available - links coming soon

Friday July 28th Return Swim
Time is TBD depending on swim over time and weather conditions.

Get all the details on the Official Pony Swim Guide!
https://www.chincoteague.com/pony_swim_guide.html

PRESS RELEASE: Chincoteague Island Celebrates 98 Year Tradition Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Host Pony Roundup, Swim and Auction

Chincoteague Island, VA--July 14, 2023: Pony Penning means different things to different people. For pony lovers, it is a time to possibly buy a new pony to love. For history lovers, it is a time to celebrate a 98 year tradition whose roots are as deep as the marsh mud. For literature lovers, it is a time to honor a beloved children's author who wrote an award winning story about a real Chincoteague pony named Misty. For all Chincoteaguers, it is a time of homecoming. Whether you have lived on Chincoteague your entire life or only for a short season, the last week of July is a pilgrimage home to rekindle, reconnect, and recharge with family and friends during this exciting week of pony fever. Visitors from around the world experience an event like none other.

Thousands line the shores of Veterans Memorial Park and Pony Swim Lane to watch the world-famous Chincoteague Ponies make their annual swim from Assateague Island, VA to Chincoteague Island. Charter boats and kayaks filled with eager onlookers line the Assateague Channel creating a pathway for the ponies as they make their yearly swim from shore to shore. The Town of Chincoteague will provide enhanced viewing of the event on a large Jumbotron located at Veterans Memorial Park and provide free shuttle bus service to the event beginning at 5 a.m. on July 26th. The shuttle operates on Wednesday only. When shuttle service ends on Swim Day, the Pony Express Trolley will begin running at 1 p.m. to assist.

Visit www.chincoteaguechamber.com/pony-penning and the chamber's page for any updates, shuttle map, and information including where to park if you are a day visitor, helpful hints and full schedule of events.

Festivities begin with the South Herd roundup on Saturday, July 22nd at approximately 7 a.m. at the South corral on Beach Road. The North Herd will be rounded up on Sunday, July 23rd. The North Herd of wild Chincoteague Ponies will join the South Herd to await the "big day" in the traditional Beach Walk on Assateague Island at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 24th. Vet checks will be given on Tuesday. The annual swim on Wednesday, July 26th is at the earliest morning slack tide--estimated swim window will be between 8:30-10:30 a.m.

The auction of foals takes place on Thursday morning July 27th at 8 a.m. at the Carnival Grounds located at 3648 Main Street. The auction will also feature a virtual component, so register beforehand if you plan to bid online.

The week's events culminate with the return swim of the South Herd adult ponies to Assateague Island on Friday morning, July 28th (time to be determined after swim on Wednesday). The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival will be open July 21-22, 24-29 from 7-11 p.m. featuring rides, games, raffles, and fabulous Eastern Shore food including oyster and clam fritters! The last night of the carnival will be celebrated with a huge Fireworks display on July 29th.

Come early to enjoy the 35th Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival, Misty's Birthday Party, Buckaroo Bingo, free showings of Misty of Chincoteague, Music at the Dock, Storytelling, Farmers and Artisans Market, and so many more fun events that take place during July. Stop by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Certified Visitor Center located at 6733 Maddox Boulevard to learn more, visit the Events Page of the chamber's website, or download the Chincoteague app (see QR code below) for details on these and many other events and activities. It is truly an awesome time on the island where wild ponies roam.

In recognition of these beautiful animals, the Chincoteague Pony has been officially named the State Pony for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Signed into law just a few weeks ago by Governor Youngkin, the wild Chincoteague Ponies have attained celebrity status! "Virginia is For Pony Lovers" commemorative T-shirts can be purchased at the Chamber Office ... the only outlet for this one-of-a-kind shirt honoring the beloved ponies.

This is the year to check Pony Penning off your "bucket list"!! It's not too late to book your vacation of a lifetime. What are you waiting for? Visit www.chincoteaguechamber.com to begin.

WEBSITE - Pony Swim Events & Information
https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/pony-event-schedule

CHINCOTEAGUE APP - Experience Pony Swim Tour
https://chincoteaguechamber.visitwidget.com/tours/experience-pony-swim?disable_map_cooperative_gesture_handling=true #

PAPER VERSION DOWNLOADhttps://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/userfiles/2023%20Pony%20Swim%20Events%20Schedule%20&%20Shuttle%20Packet%203.pdf

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHINCOTEAGUE APP
Planning is now easier than ever with the official Chincoteague App! With this planner, the Chincoteague Chamber team can help you get organized and maximize your time, so you spend more time making memories that will last a lifetime!

Download the app today for your iPhone or Android and take your plan with you!
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/PRESS-RELEASE---Trip-Planning-at-Your-Fingertips-----Chincoteague-s-Official-Widget-and-Mobile-App-Are-Now-Live-.html?soid=1104289134949&aid=0LKiZxV8-Uk

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 6733 Maddox Boulevard Chincoteague, VA 23336
www.chincoteaguechamber.com

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About Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is an organization whereby many different business interests have joined together in a combined manner to maximize their ability to attract and increase the number of visitors to Chincoteague Island. The ultimate goal of the organization is to communicate the message that Chincoteague, the “Beautiful Land Across the Water,” is the most desirable location to visit and/or vacation with family or friends.

Media Contact:
Name: Evelyn Shotwell
Title: Executive Director
Phone: 757-336-6161
Email address: [email protected]

PSA:

After increased tourism the southern herd of ponies has continuously been the focus of many Ecological and Nature Tours. Somehow, somewhere, the rules and regulations have either been forgotten or shrugged off because of lack of enforcement.

COMMERCIAL Business may not “land” - get out of- their boats ANYWHERE within the confines of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. There is one small area where recreational boaters may “land” their vessels while adhering to laws and boundaries set forth from USFWS. This has become an ever increasing problem with people thinking it is okay to get out of kayaks, boats, etc. and approach the ponies in the remainder of the pasture. We have been through this struggle before which resulted in fencing the ponies away from the general unknowing public access to safeguard the ponies from harm. This has become such a problem that if the badgering of the ponies is done only as a means of profit with no regard for their safety or the laws that govern everyone WE WILL BE FORCED TO REMOVE PONIES FROM THE SOUTHERN PASTURE.

The ponies have been wild for hundreds of years and thrive best when humans stay in their lane and leave them alone. It is unimaginable that “tour guides” who are giving information to unknowing visitors have the ignorance to continually break the rules. With support from USFWS we are erecting signage in key places from the Lighthouse to Little Beach advising the law as it pertains to commercial or recreational vessels of all shapes and sizes.

We are not asking a lot, just follow the rules and things can continue as they have for years. Be aware of environmental factors like wind, tide, storms, and distance travelled if you are in a kayak. Breaking the law because the tide is down and you can’t see the ponies from your kayak is not an acceptable excuse. Neither is getting out to use the ponies as a backdrop for photos or an educational tour. One of the largest offenses that can occur is physically touching the Ponies, they are WILD, ask our vets or our cowboys how many of the ponies have kicked or bitten them. If ponies approach and show interest please leave them be to their natural behaviors very seldom do they interact with people through their own devices.

We are so glad that so many people want to visit Chincoteague and see the Ponies but there are businesses out there who are misinforming and misleading visitors just to make a quick buck all while disobeying regulations if it means they can make more money or say they saw ponies. We ask people to be vigilant and smart about who, when, and where they kayak with not only for your safety on the water but your potential legal repercussions. Your “guide” or personal venture into the southern pasture may be your ticket to a fine or potential jail time.

One last bit of information regards the trails on the CNWR, you may NOT leave the trails such as the Woodland Trail to get a better look at the ponies in the marsh unless it is a specified viewing area. We often see people walk out in the marsh unbothered because it is a better view, the same goes for the Northern Service Road.

We thank everyone who has educated visitors about the ponies lawfully and supports the fire company in its mission to keep the Chincoteague Ponies wild and unbothered as they deserve to be.

Respectfully,
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company

Best Ice Cream Shop (2023) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards Find your new favorite flavors at these 10 independent ice cream shops, voted as the best in the U.S. by our readers.

Did someone say Watermelon Pomegranate Margarita? Yes, Pico did! Come try one today!

Happy 4th Weekend!! 🇺🇸

Todays Muffins: Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry

Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky Buns!!

Rise Up Coffee!!

We got lucky!!! Or should we say YOU got lucky if you missed out on the delicious LOCAL strawberries! We got our hands on a few more cases! Hurry!!! Don’t miss out this time or get yourself some more before they truly are done for the season!!

This photo by Life Magazine is a favorite. Very few photos of Clarence Beebe and Misty exist. Clarence Beebe died June 29, 1957 which was not long after Misty returned to Chincoteague. Posed with the Misty's Meadow sign is a wonderful touch.

Misty spent the rest of her life on Beebe Ranch under the care of Ralph and Jeanette Beebe. The Museum of Chincoteague Island is fundraising to purchase a portion of Beebe Ranch and they're almost to their goal! To learn more: https://chincoteaguemuseum.com/save-the-beebe-ranch/