Correction: Wednesday’s Pony Swim was the 98th annual.
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) — Wednesday marked the 98th anniversary of Chincoteague’s famous Pony Swim.
More than 200 ponies were brought over from Assateague Island to Chincoteague during slack tide, which began just after 10 a.m.
The ponies made it safely across to Pony Swim Lane, just south of Veterans Memorial Park on the east end of the island, before being paraded up to their corral at the carnival grounds.
The first foal to come ashore was No. 70, a chestnut filly. She was named this year’s Queen Neptune and will be given away in a raffle at the carnival grounds at 7 p.m.
Thursday then brings the pony auction at the carnival grounds. The annual tradition not only raises money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, but helps prevent pony overpopulation on Assateague Island. The “buy back” ponies, which get returned to Assateague after the auction, are usually the most popular.
Then on Friday, the ponies take the same parade route in reverse and make the swim back over to Assateague (the exact swim time hasn’t been announced).
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival meanwhile goes through Saturday night, with a fireworks show capping things off at 10 p.m. Saturday. You can read more about Pony Penning Week and the carnival on the Chincoteague Chamber’s website. Follow the fire company for more updates.
