Chincoteague Pony Swim returns for 98th year

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA – Hours of anticipation, a muddy and humid walk, ended with a spectacular payoff for the thousands of visitors that camped out as early as 4 am in Chincoteague for the annual pony swim.

“It’s a feeling of camaraderie. And you just see something that you wouldn’t see anywhere else, I mean, you know, you see them, you know, coming from the marsh into the water and just swimming across it,  it’s amazing,” said tourist Nancy Pavone.

For some visitors, the Chincoteague Pony Swim is about scratching off a bucket list item for themselves and their families.

“They’re just, like, really cute, I love wild horses,” said Jane Kortus who came with her dad to the swim with the hopes of bidding on a pony.

For others, it’s about checking off a lifelong wish for a family member.

“It’s on my dad’s bucket list, he’s turning 91 today, this is his birthday,” said visitor Julie Holtzer.

Those are just a few of the thousands of stories of people who camped out as early as 4 am to get their prime spot, to see the ponies make their way across the water under the watch full eye of the water cowboys.

It’s those stunning visuals that the Chincoteague Fire Company says- help to fund their operations each year.

This year they say they are hoping to break their all-time record and crack half a million in donations, all coming from the pony swim and auction.

“You only have one week to make all the money you need to run your family for the rest of the year, that’s how important it is,” said Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer Billy Joe Torr.

Torr tells us with over 30,000 people in town for the day, he hopes everyone can get that chance to connect- and marvel- at a beauty that locals know cannot be beaten.

“It’s a homecoming, I don’t care who moved away from here when they were growing up they try to make it back for the pony,” he said.

And of course, it’s more than memories that some visitors could be walking away with.

“I want one, but I don’t think that my dad will let me,” Jane said with her father adding “She does want to at least bid on a horse and hopefully just get outbid, get that experience.”

That auction is set to start Thursday at 8 a.m. at the festival grounds both online and in-person bids.