Chincoteague Island’s 99th Annual Pony Swim

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. – Tourists and locals alike gathered in droves Wednesday afternoon to watch the 99th Annual Pony Swim.

“It’s just an exciting event. You see, all these people here for the pony crossing is just overwhelming.”

This year’s pony swim was extra special for Bill and Judy, who are celebrating their 47th anniversary by returning to the event for the first time since they got married. “We came up here 47 years ago when the ponies had already crossed. So in honor of our anniversary, we came out here again and actually saw the ponies cross,” Judy said.

Doug and Tracy made the seven hour drive here from New Jersey, and Tracy said it was everything she hoped it would be: “Amazing. Transformational. So exciting. The town is great… bucket list”

Doug says that the camaraderie between the locals and tourists makes the wait a bit easier.

“The people are very friendly. We stood with water up to our calves in a crowd for 3 hours and everybody was really friendly”

It rained on and off for the hours leading up to the swim. But the crowds braved the elements — wading through mud and water for the best view of the ponies.

Everyone agreed that the pony swim on Chincoteague Island is a tradition like no other: “People are so committed to it. It’s its own local culture that’s really seeped into this community. It’s it kind of feels old fashioned in a very friendly way.”