JOIN US For The 99th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim
PONY SWIM & AUCTION
JULY 24 & 25, 2024
A complete guide to the week-long festivities during Chincoteague Island’s World Famous Pony Swim! July 24, 2024, marks the 99th year of Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim.
The annual Chincoteague Pony Roundup, Swim, and Auction will take place for the 99th year in 2024 to the delight of thousands of spectators that watch as the wild Chincoteague Ponies are roundup from their grazing grounds on Assateague Island, Virginia and swam to neighboring Chincoteague Island. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Pony Roundup, Swim & Auction aka Pony Penning always takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in the month of July. The world famous Chincoteague Ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday at the first “slack tide”.
The first foal ashore is named King or Queen Neptune and is given away in a raffle later that day at the Carnival Grounds. The Carnival opens immediately after the swim. Proceeds from this event fund the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Monies are used for maintenance and purchase of equipment and care of the pony herd. A free shuttle runs the day of the swim to transport the 40,000 attendees to the swim site since parking is very limited to handicap only at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
July 24 – Pony Swim normally held at the earliest morning slack tide which is usually between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. An approximate window of time will be announced a few days prior. The Pony Swim can be viewed from Veteran’s Memorial Park (7427 Memorial Park Drive) located off East Side Road, Pony Swim Lane located off Ridge Road, by kayak, or charter boat cruise.
July 25 – Auction of foals begins at 8 a.m. and usually ends by noon at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds located at 3648 Main Street. The number of foals sold each year is determined by the Fire Company and the ponies are checked and cleared by veterinarians before being released to their new owners.