Pony swim brings major economic benefits for Chincoteague

On Wednesday morning, the Chincoteague ponies will be making their way across the Assateague channel as part of the 93rd annual Chincoteague Pony Swim, and this event brings big business to the small island of Chincoteague.

Evelyn Shotwell, the Executive Director at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce said, "Small business owners may make more this week than they would the first quarter of the year."

Loree Solé, a volunteer at the pony swim said, "Everybody counts on it every year. Very good income."

Visitors eager to shop and eat at locally owned places come from both near and far.

Liz Alexander, a visitor said, "We live in New Zealand. We are visiting!"

All those visitors, thousands of them, are taking advantage of all that the small island has to offer.

Liz Alexander said, "We've done Bill's and we've done AJ's. We've done Duke's Grill so there's a few that we've done."

Brian McDowell, another visitor said, "We've been enjoying it, looking at the scenery. We went to Etta's the first night and we looked out at the watershed and it was a very nice view."

Chincoteague locals said they don't mind these big crowds at all.

Solé said, "It's just notoriety for a lot of places that people didn't even think about that are on the island and everything so, it really helps, it really does."

Everyone is just excited to watch the wild ponies swim across the channel bright and early Wednesday morning.

Lillianna Bergersen and Blake Griffith, some young visitors said, "We're going to walk down to pony swim lane I think and then we're going to see the ponies walking parade."

Vincent Alexander, another visitor from New Zealand said, "There is just a fantastic atmosphere here, it's great, I love it."

These ponies will be making their way across the channel between 8 and 10AM Wednesday morning, and visitors are sure to attend.

Of course, keeping everyone safe on Wednesday is a top priority, not just during the swim, but during the pony auction as well because the ponies can be unpredictable. 

On top of that, for a small town of about 3,000 people on ten square miles, the sharp increase in population that the visitors bring can also create safety concerns.

That's why officials are reminding people to never bike or walk facing traffic, instead bike and walk with traffic.

Additionally, if you plan on attending the pony swim bright and early, you are encouraged to come prepared.

Loree Solé said, "Sunscreen. Lots of water. Protection. Be in mind where your children are at all times. Keep them next to your side behind you especially when the ponies come by. People don't realize these are wild ponies, even domestic ponies if you had a heard of them going by, you have to be mindful."

On top of that, always keep your distance from these ponies and never try to pet them.