Although the southern beach and parking lots were not accessible, visitors had the option of parking at alternate lots and hiking or biking thru the wildlife loop and along the trail to the beach. A temporary lifeguard station is expected to remain in place thru Friday.

Work is ongoing to restore the main parking lots at the southern end of Assateague which were damaged during the storm surge from Hurricane Irene. According to sources, the beach will open by Saturday and be available throughout Labor Day weekend.

On the northern section of Assateague Island, Maryland Park Service (MPS) reopened Assateague State Park on August 30. The campground will be open beginning Wednesday, August 31.

Assateague Island Beaches to Open for Labor Day Weekend is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Chincoteague Ponies Safe After Hurricane Irene is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

General public access will be permitted from 7am to 8pm on a temporary basis. Normal hours are expected to resume on Friday.

Entrance to the Refuge will be free for the next few days during the recovery process.

Visitors will have access to the Assateague Lighthouse, Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center, Wildlife Loop, Swans Cove Trail, and the Service Road.

The Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center (Visitor Center) will offer extended operating hours from 8am to 6pm.

The beach parking lots were overwashed during the storm and buried in upwards of 18 inches of sand. Therefore the Beach and beach parking lots are closed to public access for maintenance.

Due to the lack of available parking, visitors are encouraged to bike to Swans Cove Trail to enjoy the beach.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with National Park Service staff to clear as much of the parking area as possible before Friday, September 2nd.

When the Beach reopens, visitors should plan for limited beach facilities (i.e., toilets only).

The Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) access is closed at this time.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to Reopen is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

The Town of Chincoteague’s Emergency Management Team has lifted the evacuation order for Chincoteague Island. The causeway is now open and all residents and visitors may return to the island at this time.

Everyone should proceed with caution as there may be downed trees or power lines. Please report any downed power lines to the Chincoteague Police Department at 757-336-3155.

For more information, visit: http://www.chincoteague-va.gov/

Chincoteague Island Open Following Hurricane Irene is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Currently, all non-residents should be evacuated.

Phase III of the Town’s Evacuation Plan will go into effect at 7:00 PM Friday evening.    Phase III requires a mandatory evacuation of all residents. All residents should be off the island by 12:00 noon Saturday August 27, 2011.    Only emergency personnel will be allowed on the island.

The shelter will open at 6:00 AM Saturday, August 27, 2011.    The shelter for Chincoteague Island will be at the Arcadia Middle School 29485 Horsey Road, in Oak Hall.  No Pets are allowed in the shelter.  Please bring water, food, and medications needed for your family.

Please stay tuned to local media for further updates for Chincoteague.

Chincoteague Island Evacuation is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

On the weekend prior the Pony Swim, “Saltwater Cowboys” begin rounding up about 150 wild ponies that live on the island.

Ponies from the southern end of Assateague Island are rounded up and herded directly into the southern corral. The larger northern herd is corralled temporarily before being led down the beach to the main corral.

On Monday, July 25th, 2011, the Saltwater Cowboys moved the ponies down the beach in a light rain. The roundup went well with the ponies making it safely to the southern corral.

More photos of the event can be seen in the 2011 Chincoteague Pony Roundup photo gallery.

2011 Chincoteague Pony Round Up is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Crews will give lectures and information regarding water safety, survival and safety gear requirements for vessels. There will also be interactive displays regarding maritime electrical safety and communications as well as aids to navigation.

During the open house, the crew will conduct rescue demonstrations, which may include a helicopter hoist with an MH-60 Jayhawk.

The Coast Guard station is located at 3823 Main Street, Chincoteague, VA., 23336

Coast Guard Station Chincoteague Open House is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Chincoteague pony logos are available on t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, hoodies, stickers, buttons, postcards, notecards, coffee mugs, and other products.

The Chincoteague Island Pony Swim is held annually on the last Wednesday of July, which is July 27, 2011.

The wild ponies were made famous by Marguerite Henry’s bestselling book “Misty of Chincoteague”.

The ponies reside on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island.

The wild ponies are descended, according to local legend, from horses shipwrecked when a Spanish galleon sank along the Virginia coast.

 

Chincoteague Ponies (running stallion) by
north_america

Chincoteague Pony Stallion

Assateague Lighthouse by north_america

More Chincoteague ponies T-Shirts

2011 Chincoteague Pony Collectibles is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

To be recognized as a Maryland Green Center, the State Park had to demonstrate best environmental management practices, support community environmental learning and, most important, facilitate the development of Maryland Green Schools within their service area.

Assateague State Park is the first of Maryland’s State Parks to earn Green Center status and stands out in the region as a respected source for quality environmental education and interpretive programs. Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Sinepuxent Bay, the park serves more than 45,000 visitors each year with hands-on learning, outdoor exploration and use of natural play and classroom spaces. The Park and the Maryland Coastal Bays Program are the first Maryland Green Centers in Worcester County.

source: MD DNR

Maryland’s Assateague State Park Certified as a Green Center is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Free health tests will be given to attendees with information on how to improve your health as well as info on emergency preparedness for natural disasters.

Some tests requiring blood samples may require fasting; a breakfast will be available this morning at Marina at a reduced cost for attendees.

For more info, email to covecert@gmail.com or call 757.655.5190 and leave message.

Health Fair at Captain’s Cove Marina is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

The Farmer’s Market will be open Saturdays through September and will also open on Wednesdays as more products become available.

This is the seventh year for the market at the same location. Interested participants may contact Cathy at 757-336-2610 for additional information.

2011 Chincoteague Island Farmer’s Market is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

As a follow up to the dredging work, Corps of Engineers survey vessels will use  SONAR to get a detailed look at the navigation channel to ensure the sandbars forming on the bottom have been removed.

Depending on funding, the inlet portion of the channel is scheduled to be dredged again next year, ensuring the Chincoteague Inlet federal navigation channel will remain safe and open for commercial and recreational watercraft.

Chincoteague Island is home to the largest commercial port on the Eastern Shore, handling more than 3,000 vessels a year, including U.S. Coast Guard vessels.

2011 Chincoteague Inlet Dredging Work is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Two bands will be performing on stage,one at 5pm,the other at 7pm. The first to perform is ” The Flatland Bluegrass Band “. The members are veteran musicians who have performed all over the state of Virginia. This will be their first trip to the Eastern Shore. The tight harmonies and high-energy instrumentals make this an excellent  group to entertain all ages with contemporary and traditional Bluegrass music as well as Bluegrass Gospel. The current members are Randy Grigg, guitar and vocals;Karen Grigg, mandolin and vocal; Fred Staggs, Bass and Bob Hegeman, banjo and vocals.

At 7 pm “Roadside Cafe” Will take the stage. They are back for their 5Th visit to the Chincoteague Center. RSC began as a group of tenured musicians in search of an outlet for the energetic tones of the bluegrass music they fell in love with some 25 years ago. They offer a blend of contemporary bluegrass, traditional classics and original material featuring hard driving instrumentation and various vocal harmony structures. The band provides a vast repertoire that is appealing to a wide audience. RSC consist of four veterans – Brian Brewer, guitar;Mike Maltby, Bass; David Robinson, Mandolin and Ken Windbeck, Banjo.

The doors will open at 1 pm to allow guest and musicians to play and/or work with the bands. Also the featured band members will be having   workshops for guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass in the afternoon for anyone interested. Jamming groups will be encouraged to play   around the center hall or outside weather permitting.

The concession will be serving chili dogs, pork barbecue,home-made ice cream, snacks and drinks all day and night. Price at the door is $20.00 and covers everything except food Children 12 and under are free.  Advance reservations for the event are $16.00 and can be obtained at the Center ticket office, Outten Brothers in Pocomoke, The Kite Koop and H&H Pharmacy in Chincoteague. Contact  The Center At 757 336-0614 or Bill Chrisman at 757 336-3030.

source: Island Bluegrass Alliance

IBA Bluegrass Festival on Chincoteague Island is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

John Owens co-owner of the nursery will be sharing his expertise on pruning, fertilizing, mulching, weed control, soil prep, composting, vegetable garden start up, and more.

Get your garden ready for the spring with a fun educational seminar at a local plant nursery. Cost will be $15 to YMCA members and $30 for program members. Also keep a save the date on your calendar for a second seminar on May 14 where Mr. Owens will be talking about container gardening

Call the YMCA for more information or to register at (757) 336-6266.

YMCA Gardening Seminar is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Shore Bank branches in Cape Charles, Exmore, Parksley, Onley, Chincoteague, Pocomoke and South Salisbury

PNC Bank branches in Onley, Oak Hall, Chincoteague, and Belle Haven

Tom’s Cove Park in Chincoteague.

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat event are $40.  Chincoteague Mayor Jack Tarr and Chincoteague Chamber President Ted Lewis, co-chairmen of the 2011 festival, expect the event to be a sell-out.

2011 Chincoteague Seafood Festival Ticket Locations is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

More than 20 different species of birds use Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Fisherman Island to feed and rest during the spring migration before moving on to their final destination.

International Migratory Bird Celebration at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

The Y has created an inviting environment for little ones with staff supervision to enjoy while their parents workout or take a class! All of the toys, furniture, and goodies to make this space a reality were donated thanks to members and the community.

Currently child watch is limited hours but will expand as the program grows, check with reception desk for details on the schedule.

Visit the local Y at 6395 Maddox Blvd. Chincoteague Island or call (757) 336-6266 for more information on how to become a member.

Chincoteague Island YMCA Childcare Program is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

Visit the participating merchants who are showing their shamrock green, displayed in the shop windows, for a day of fun and prizes.  Get each merchants to validate your playing card, race to the finish at Chattie’s Lounge atop Don’s Seafood, deposit your ticket in the pot at the end of the rainbow for prizes contributed by the merchants.

See the Main St Merchants website for details ( chincoteaguemerchants.org, or contact Laurie Walton at 757-336-6858.

Main Street Merchants to Host Search for the Shamrocks is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

WMAs were purchased and are maintained using Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Funds derived from excise taxes assessed on hunting and fishing equipment and supplies; hunting, trapping and fishing license revenues; and a variety of other funding sources including grants from partner organizations.

While WMAs were initially purchased by the agency to be used by hunters and anglers (many WMAs contain public lakes or have access to public waters), these largely undeveloped lands are also used by bird watchers, boaters, hikers, horseback riders, participants in field dog trials, and others.  Many of these users have an interest in Virginia’s Wildlife Management Areas.

To gain stakeholder input regarding recreational use and land management of WMAs, VDGIF Bureau of Wildlife Resources staffs and researchers from Virginia Tech’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences will hold public workshop meetings on five evenings in March. At the request of VDGIF, Virginia Tech researchers completed a year-long study in September 2010 that examined recreational use on WMAs in Virginia. The March workshops are the next step in a multi-year process of assessing use of and developing a statewide management plan for Virginia’s WMAs.

Five workshop meetings will be held on weeknight evenings in mid-March. The dates, times, and locations of workshop meetings are as follows:

Tuesday, March 8 (7:00-9:00 PM): John Barton Payne Community Room, 2 Courthouse Square, Warrenton (former Fauquier County Library Building)

Wednesday, March 9 (6:30-8:30 PM): Virgil I. Grissom Library, 366 DeShazor Drive, Newport News

Thursday, March 10 (7:00-9:00 PM): DGIF Richmond Office, 4010 W. Broad Street, Richmond

Wednesday, March 16 (7:00-9:00 PM): Augusta Co. Government Center (South Board Room), 18 Government Center Lane, Verona

Thursday, March 17 (7:00-9:00 PM): Wytheville Community College (122 Smyth Hall), 1000 East Main Street, Wytheville

The public is invited to attend and to discuss goals and concerns regarding recreational use and land management on the WMAs. To help VDGIF plan, please call or email Amy Carrozzino at Virginia Tech (acarroz@vt.edu, 540-231-0961) if you plan to attend one of the meetings.

To learn more about Virginia wildlife management areas, visit www.dgif.virginia.gov

VDGIF Wildlife Management Area Workshop Meetings is a post from: Chincoteague Island News

The Visitor’s guide is distributed as a response piece to inquiries generated by advertising and trade shows, through the ten Virginia Welcome Centers, AAA offices and numerous tourism offices throughout the United States and Canada.

The 8” wide x 9” high page size allows a broader canvas to showcase the scenic beauty and allure of town and islands in picture and words.  The full center spread map, keyed with points of interest, is of great value for the first-time visitor.

The brochure is organized with sections for the main categories of interest to tourists including accommodations, eateries, activities, services, etc. A table listing amenities for hotels, motels, B & B’s and campgrounds is another added feature to help guide the visitor.

The 2011 Chincoteague Island Visitor’s Guide is free and can be ordered by calling 757-336-6161, FAX: 757-336-1242, or e-mail: chincochamber2@verizon.net

2011 Chincoteague Island Visitors Guide is a post from: Chincoteague Island News