April 16, 2023
The New Year brings new and exciting events to keep an eye out for! The 2023 Chincoteague Seafood Festival is quickly approaching so make sure to book your lodging. The event will take place Saturday, May 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Tom’s Cove Park located at 8128 Beebe Road in Chincoteague Island. Tickets will go fast so you don’t miss out on the fun! The tickets are $60/per person (children 5 and under are free) and you can get those here.
See Food, Seafood, Eat Food
The Chincoteague Seafood Festival was created to help, “promote the seafood industry on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The festival has fresh, local seafood and will include exciting offerings. There will also be signature dishes from local restaurants. As well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals.” (Source) The day will feature the freshest local seafood featuring: clam chowder, little neck clams, along with raw oysters and clams, sweet potato fries, clam fritters, clam strips, single fried oysters, fried fish, a long-time festival staple, shrimp cocktail, salad bar, grilled chicken, boardwalk fries, cornbread, and hushpuppies. There will be a cash bar that will have beer and some NA drinks are included in the ticket price.
Vendors, Live Music, & Raffle
Aside from the food there are a large number of artisan vendors that you can browse and shop until you drop. Local band favorite Front Page News will be performing so bring your dancing shows and be ready for rockin’ good time from them. “An Extravaganza Raffle is held with the winner receiving t-shirts, tickets, trays, lodging, gift certificates for meals, and much more for the following year’s festival.” (Source)
The Festival Schedule
Here is the day’s schedule pulled from the Eventbrite event page:
- 10:00 a.m. Gates open (NO EARLY ENTRY FOR SETUP) Any items set up prior to 10 a.m. on festival day are subject to removal.
- 11:00 a.m. Appetizer tents begin serving – Clam Chowder, Salad Bar, Boardwalk Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Hushpuppies, Cornbread, Grilled Chicken
- 12:00 p.m. Seafood tents begins serving – Raw Oysters & Clams, “Little Neck” Steamed Clams, Single Fried Oysters, Fried Fish, Steamed Shrimp, Clam Fritters, Clam Strips, Live music begins
- 4:00 p.m. Festival ends
- 6:00 p.m. Due to insurance liability purposes, all attendees and volunteers must exit the festival grounds
Festival Promoter Contact Information
They say that this event sells out so make sure to purchase your tickets early. This event is run by the Chincoteague Chamber who you can call with questions at 757.336.6161 or visit their website here: www.chincoteaguechamber.com. You can also stay up to date on event updates by following their Facebook event page by clicking here.
Lodging Options
Do you need a place to rest after your exciting day of eating the best seafood you ever had? Look no further than Sun Outdoors Chincoteague Bay! “Gather the family and enjoy exclusive access to our resort amenities that include favorites like the Maui Jack’s Waterpark, jumping pillow, events and themed weekends.” Book your 2023 stay now!
