Easter Decoy & Art Festival
The Easter Decoy & Art Festival is held to celebrate the history and craft of decoy carving and where local and national decoy carvers and artists of all kinds; fine art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, etc. exhibit and sell their work at this Chincoteague Island tradition. Exhibitors carve and create on site and are eager to talk about the love of their work. Come eager to learn from the finest and purchase some of their works to treasure yourself or to give as a gift.
44th Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival
April 18 & 19, 2025
Friday, April 18 - Noon to 5:00pm
Saturday, April 19 - 9:00am - 4:00pm (People's Choice voting ends 2pm. Exhibitor awards announced 3pm. Auctions end 4pm.)
Chincoteague Combined School, 4586 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
$5.00 admission each day; children under 12 are free
Admission is cash only, so please plan accordingly.
2024 FESTIVAL EVENTS: (to be updated soon)
Friday & Saturday -
- All Day — Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Offering Children’s Crafts; Main Hallway
- All Day — Capt E's Hurricane Grill Food Truck Serving Lunch Friday & Breakfast/Lunch Saturday; Outside
- All Day — Arthur Leonard Carving Demonstrations; Gym
Friday -
- All Day — Ellie & Caden, Musicians; Gym Stage
Saturday -
- 10:30 — Nan Carlton Mosteller, Exhibitor, Performing A Skit & Reading Her Children's Picture Book, "Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At The Shore"; Gym Stage
- 12:00 - 2:00 — JoAnn Stratakos, Exhibitor, Felted Wool Bunny Class — $50; Cafeteria
- 12:00 - 2:00 — Emily Guemple, Musician; Gym Stage
- 3:00 — Awards Announced
- 4:00 — Wooden Easter Egg Silent Auction Ends / Pick Up By 5:00
Awards are given in various categories; carving, art and photography. Children receive a Children’s Choice Award ribbon upon admission to present to their favorite artist while festival attendees vote for People's Choice Awards for best carver and best artist. Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague is chosen by jury. The highest award given each year is the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence. This is awarded to the exhibitor who displays excellence as an individual, as well as an artist and/or carver and is voted on solely by the exhibitors. Awards are announced at 3pm on Saturday.
Wooden Easter eggs are meticulously hand carved, painted and/or embellished by exhibitors and are sold through a silent auction to the highest bidder. This auction has been a highlight of the show each year, with some eggs fetching a handsome sum. Auction closes at 4pm on Saturday. Cash, check, and credit card accepted.
New for 2024! Learn the art of wool felting at the festival with artist and exhibitor JoAnn Stratakos and make an adorable felted wool bunny on homemade pottery stand. Learn all the details and sign up as space is limited.
If you attend the festival on Friday and want to check on the status of your silent auction bids, a bidding pass is available. Please ask at the admissions desk.
Download and print the 2024 Easter Decoy & Art Festival Exhibitor Application. (2025 application will be available soon)
MEET THE EXHIBITORS | AUCTIONS | AWARD WINNERS | CURTIS MERRITT
Enhance your Chincoteague Island experience with events happening throughout the year; including the Chincoteague Seafood Festival, Chincoteague Oyster Festival and Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.
