Activity

During the month of July, the “saltwater” cowboys (who are volunteer fire personnel) round up the ponies for the annual pony swim and auction. This event began in 1925 after the forming of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, to raise money for firefighting equipment.

During this event, you can see the ponies swim over the Assateague Channel to Chincoteague. There is a parade of about 100 ponies, in the heart of town, making their way to the carnival grounds where they are rested until the auction the following morning. The unsold ponies are returned to Assateague Island on Friday. All monies from this event go to the fire department to supply firefighting services to the town.

This event draws about 40,000 spectators from around the world each year.

If you want to rent domesticated horses to ride, there’s a list of pack outfits at the Visitor’s Center.