Chincoteague Island, VA: March 28, 2023: The 42nd Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival will be held April 7th & 8th at Chincoteague Combined School located at 4586 Main Street Chincoteague. Show hours are Friday, April 7: noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 8: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per day ages 12 and over. Food service will be provided by Capt. E's Hurricane Bar & Grill. Enjoy live music in the main exhibit hall on Friday performed by Greg Shupe and Saturday by Emily Guemple. Celebrate the traditional Chincoteague "Welcome to Spring."
Decoy carvers and artisans from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Arizona, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia exhibit their work from rustic working decoys to finely detailed workmanship each year at the Easter Decoy & Art Festival. This two-day event is a unique and memorable opportunity to meet the exhibitors and watch them create their work. Many artisans have been a part of the show for decades, some for over 40 years.
Show exhibitors include carvers Roy Bohn; Jimmy Bowden; Dale Buffington; Jay Bundick; Harvey Corkey Dize; G. Murphy Donovan; Russell Fish; Chris Fritz; Ed Jacobs; James Johnson; Ed Kuhn; Larry D. Linton; Cork McGee; Donnie Mason; Ned Mayne; David Morgan; Logan, Lincoln, and Doug Parker; Chris Quillen; Ronald Rosciszewski; Wayne P. Watson; and Hunter Wolfe.
Participating artists are Grover Cantwell, Jr.; David W. Hughes; Kevin McBride; Paul Makuchal; Nancy Mitchell; Nancy Richards West; Yvonne Torelli; and Mary Lou Troutman.
Photographers, jewelers, potters, wood turners, and other talented artisans include Lindsey Augustine; Hannah Bailey; Pete & Debra Berry; Marilou Bray; Bobby Bridges; Joe & Donnie Carson; Richard Cal Coolidge; Sondra Daisey & Pat Mulligan; Don & Donna Drew; Jim Earley; Lauri Fisher; K. Jay Hartley; Billie Ann Horner; John Into & Nancy Price; Bob & Mary McIntire; Brie Matthews; Beth Mills; Stephen Moore; Glen Phillips; Barbara Ritter; Vanessa Ruffing; JoAnn Stratakos; Joan Helena Suchoski; Cheryl Taylor; Marianne Vance; and Brooks Yeager. Long-time friends and many new faces will exhibit amazing hand-crafted works.
A show favorite are the beautifully decorated wooden eggs that will be offered in silent auction beginning at noon Friday, April 7th and end at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8th. Ribbons will be awarded for Best Artist, Best Carver, Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague, and the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8th. Children under 12 can vote for their favorite exhibitor with a Children's Choice Ribbon.
Plan your weekend to include plenty of time to enjoy nature and island events. Take in a Friday night movie at Island Theatre. Be sure to explore the hiking and biking trails as wildlife and Chincoteague Ponies (now the official State Pony) abound on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Beachcomb and relax as the sun rises and sets on Assateague Island National Seashore. Easter Egg hunts galore can be enjoyed on Saturday if you have little ones. The Museum of Chincoteague Island, in their efforts to save the Beebe Ranch, will host a benefit featuring Master Magician Peter Samelson on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Limited tickets are available for this spectacular performance. Shops and restaurants will be open and eager for your arrival. Book your accommodations today, as there is so much to discover on the beautiful land across the water - Chincoteague Island.
Visit www.chincoteaguechamber.com for a listing of all Easter Decoy & Art Festival exhibitors and complete show details. The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the Town of Chincoteague as recognized by Virginia Tourism Corporation.
