January 30, 2023
If you’re looking to do something a little different this Easter, why not head down to Chincoteague, VA for the 42nd Annual Easter Decoy and Art Festival. This family-friendly event will be held at the Chincoteague Combined School. It features handmade decoys from some of the best carvers and painters around. Furthermore, there’s also plenty to see and do around town, so if you’re ready for a unique adventure, read on!
The Easter Decoy and Art Festival Experience
At the heart of this festival are handcrafted decoys that are sure to delight. These works of art have been carefully crafted by some of the finest carvers and painters in the area.
We had a chance to catch up with the Marketing & Event Coordinator from the Chincoteague Chamber, Joanne Moore and she said, “Many of our exhibitors have been faithfully attending the festival for decades, several since its inception. We are excited to see them return again this year, as we also welcome new carvers and artisans that have been selected by the festival jury to attend.”
She went on to add that, “The festival is one of the first large events on Chincoteague’s robust calendar of events each year, and a wonderful opportunity to get away for the holiday weekend to visit Chincoteague and Assateague Islands and learn from and enjoy the creativity of our exhibitors while hopefully taking home a new art piece to treasure for years to come.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of each piece as you wander among them. But don’t forget to look up every once in a while! There are also plenty of activities going on throughout the day, including live music, food vendors, and more.
Joanne also sent along some important info about the tickets, times, etc. “Tickets can be purchased at the Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, during festival hours (Friday, April 7 – 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 8 – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) for $5 per person. Children under 12 are free. Those that attend the festival on Friday who would like to check on the status of their silent auction bids later Saturday afternoon, can obtain a bidding pass.”
Festival Founder & History
Joanne said, “The Chincoteague Island Easter Decoy & Art Festival was started in 1981 by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. The festival has always been held on Easter weekend to promote spring visitation to the island. The festival originally featuring local and renowned carvers exclusively with carving and buoyancy competitions, dinner, and auction. Over the years, it has grown to include other fine artists and artisans bringing exhibitors from as far as Arizona.”
She added that, “The highest award given at the festival is the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence, which 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. The award’s namesake was born and raised on Chincoteague Island and lost his vision by the age of four from childhood cancer.”
“During his declining health, after his cancer returned while he was in high school, he self-taught the art of decoy carving and also mentored under accomplished carver, Cork McGee, who has exhibited at the show since its inception. Curtis was named “Artist of the Year” at the 1984 festival, and sadly passed away later that year. You can learn more about Curtis Merritt by clicking here.”
Exploring Chincoteague
When you take a break from exploring the festival, there’s still plenty to explore around town. Anything from the beautiful Robert Reed Park and Museum to locally-owned restaurants with delicious seafood dishes on their menus, there’s something for everyone here. Of course no trip to Chincoteague would be complete without visiting Assateague Island National Seashore. The beach is home to wild horses that have been roaming freely since colonial times!
Make it A Weekend Trip That You Will Love!
Also, if you really want to make your adventure extra special, why not turn it into a weekend getaway? There are several great campgrounds and RV resorts in the area. Starting in June of 2023 Sun Outdoors Chincoteague Bay will be begin booking at it’s new luxury resort! You can book a 2023 or 2024 adventure today! You won’t forget your time spent in Chincoteague anytime soon!
Don’t Miss Out On A Unique Festival Experience
In the end, the 42nd Annual Easter Decoy and Art Festival is one of those events that can only truly be experienced first-hand…From admiring stunning handmade decoys to exploring all that Chincoteague has to offer. In addition, this unique destination holds something special for every traveler! So if you’re looking for an exciting way to celebrate Easter this year…Consider taking a trip down south and experiencing this charming coastal community firsthand! You won’t regret it!
Festival Ticket, Location, Dates, & Times
- DATES & TIMES: April 7-8, 2023 – Friday, April 7 – 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Saturday, April 8 – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (People’s Choice voting ends at 2:00 p.m. Exhibitor awards will be announced at 3:00 p.m. The auctions end at 4:00 p.m.)
- LOCATION: Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA
- TICKET PRICE: $5.00 admission each day; children under 12 are free.
- FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: Stay in the know as the event approaches by following the Facebook event page – click here to navigate there.
MORE STORIES
Lastly, thanks for reading all about the 42nd Annual Easter Decoy and Art Festival. In addition to this great event there are many more in the region so click here and you will find a lot more articles on the region.
