OUT & ABOUT: Your weekly guide to what is happening on and around Chincoteague Island.
OUT & ABOUT
Weekly Newsletter

Published November 20, 2017

Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Thanksgiving 
from the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center
 
Chamber Members

Stop by the Chamber office to stock up on Visitor Guides before Thanksgiving! 
Join beautiful Chincoteague Island on 
Saturday, December 2nd 
(inclement weather date is Friday, December 8th)
to celebrate a 38-year Christmas tradition...
Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
 This year's theme is 'A Misty-cal Christmas'

6pm - Enjoy the sounds of 'The Salt Marsh Ramblers" performing in Robert N. Reed Downtown Park. 

6:30pm - Invocation and Town Lighting in front of the Chincoteague Island Library.

7pm - The annual Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade begins. Fill the sidewalks on Main Street from Maddox Boulevard to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Fire House to see enchanting floats, bands, marching units, decorated boats, fire companies from ac ross the Eastern Shore, equestrian teams, classic cars, and more. Keep an eye out for Santa too!

After the parade's conclusion, the festivities continue at the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Fire House; 4028 Main Street. Visit with Santa while enjoying refreshments served by the Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague. Cheer for parade participants when trophies are awarded by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Best is Show trophy to entry that best depicts the theme 'A Misty-cal Christmas' -  in honor of the 70th anniversary of Marguerite Henry's children's novel  Misty of Chincoteague .


For more information, including Parade Lineup click here, call 757-336-6161, or email [email protected]
LIMITED OYSTER FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE 
STILL AVAILABLE

Short Sleeve T-Shirts $10 | Long Sleeve T-Shirts $15
Crew Neck Sweatshirts $15 | Hooded Sweatshirts $20
Aprons $15

Call 757-336-6161 or stop by the Chamber office for available sizes/colors. Shipping available.
Great gift giving idea!
What's Happening

Nov 23-26 -  Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Week. T ake a 15-mile round trip journey in their personal vehicles, to enjoy natural treasures found in northern areas of the refuge via the  Wildlife Loop Trail. Noon - 2pm. All vehicles must exit the Service Road by 4pm.
Wildlife Loop Trail will be open to vehicles 9am to dusk Thursday.  Learn more or call 757-336-6122. Press Release.

Nov 23 -  Turkey Trot Charity 5K.  8:30am. B egins/ends at Chincoteague High School. 4586 Main Street.  All funds raised support the YMCA's Strong Communities Campaign supporting programs and services for our community. For more info & to register, contact Chincoteague Island Family YMCA at 757-336-6266.  Learn more.

Nov 23  -  Thanksgiving Dinner for less fortunate Island residents and home-bound . 
Chincoteague American Legion. 4023 Main Street. 1pm - 5pm. Delivery available for the home-bound. Call 757-336-9749 for more information.

Nov 24-25 - 15th Annual Holiday Tour. Presented by ESVA Artisans Guild. 10am-5pm. Open to the public. For more info, email [email protected]. Learn more.

Nov 25 - Small Business Saturday. Shop Small/Shop Local. Learn more.

Nov 25 - 3rd Annual Holly Day Market & Wildlife Art Show. Chincoteague Cultural Alliance.
9am - 3pm. 6309 Church Street. 2 Buildings, Over 80 Vendors featured in the Wildlife Art Gallery and Farmers & Artisans Market. Live music, food, free admission/parking. Learn more.

Nov 25 -  Annual Holiday Craft Show.  Chincoteague Combined High School, 4586 Main Street. 9am - 3pm. Admission $3. Concessions available.

Nov 25 - Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Robert N. Reed Downtown Waterfront Park. 5pm. Proceeds benefit The Manna Cafe at Christ United Methodist Church. For more info, call 484-995-6001.

Nov 25 - 3 Sheets Performance. The Annex, Main Street - next to Island Theatre. 7pm. Right after the Christmas Tree Lighting. Admission $10. Cash bar.

Nov 29  -  Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at the Taylor Bank Virginia Loan Production Office . 5pm - 7pm. 25020 Shore Parkway, Suite 1C, Onley, VA 23418. Tours, Entertainment, Refreshments in the Oyster Room following Ribbon Cutting.RSVP to [email protected]. Learn more.

Dec 1 - Station 1 Pizza Night. New Church Volunteer Fire & Rescue, 4264 Firehouse Street, New Church. 5pm - 8pm. Learn more.

Dec 2 -  FREE Rabies Vaccine Clinic.   10am - 2pm. 6293 Cropper Street (the old fire station). Any dog, cat or ferret in need of a rabies shot. First come, first serve. Insure that dogs are on leashes and cats/ferrets are in carriers. Bring rabies certificate for previous vaccination. For more info, contact Rebekah DeHaven at 540-303-0518 or email  [email protected] . 

Dec 2  -  Chincoteague Island Police Dept Ride for Kids Toy Run . M eet at Walmart in Onley, VA. Depart 11am. Ride to Chincoteague with lunch provided. Entry fee is one new, unopened toy! For more info, call 757-336-3115. Collection during Christmas Parade too that evening!

Dec 2 -  Main Street Merchants' Homes for the Holiday Tours. 1 1am - 4pm. For more info, contact Kim Dennis at (703)599-4430 or stop by Hollyhocks on Main. Learn more. 

Dec 2 - Children's Christmas Party. American Legion Post #159. Noon - 2pm. 4023 Main Street. Story-telling, face painting, games and goody bags. Ages 2-8. Must be accompanied by an adult. RSVP at 757-336-9749.

Dec 2 - Open House & Art/Fine Craft Show. The Annex, Main Street - next to Island Theatre. 6pm. An Open House and Art/Fine Craft Show during the Christmas Parade. Coffee & hot chocolate $1/cup.

Dec 2 - 38th Annual Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. Click here to learn more.
Save the Date
Ongoing Activities
 
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility 
nasa.gov/centers/wallops/   Launch Info: 757-824-2050
Future Launches: 

NASA Visitor Center -  nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter      757-824-1344
Open Tues - Sat. 10am - 4pm. Free Admission.
Nov 25 -  Investigation Station. 11am - Noon. 
Nov 25 -  Peculiar Planet. 2pm - 2:20pm. All ages.


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/   757-336-6122   Open  Nov - Mar 6am - 6pm.
Herbert H. Bateman Center   Open 9am - 4pm

Chincoteague Natural History  Association      piping-plover.org      757- 336-3696
Lighthouse - November schedule weather permitting
Nov 24 - 9am - 3pm     |     Nov 25 - 9am - 3pm     |     Nov 26 - 9am - 3pm

Assateague Island National Seashore  
nps.gov/asis/index.htm   757-336-6577 
Toms Cove Visitor Center    Open 9am - 4pm


Chincoteague Cultural Alliance Community Center for the Arts
chincoteagueculturalalliance.org   6309 Church Street   757-336-6117
Free Kids Art Classes - first Saturday of every month. 1pm (not Nov 4)
Kitchen Gallery - Sundays.  3pm - 5pm. Graveyards and Ghosts from Oct 22 - Nov 12.
Community Bingo - Last Monday of the month. 1pm.
Nov 24 - Chincoteague Story Telling Guild. Refreshments 6:30pm. Story Telling 7pm. Free admission. 


Chincoteague Island Library
chincoteagueislandlibrary.org      4077 Main Street     757-336-3460
Open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10am - 5pm. Thurs 1pm - 7pm. 
Tales for Tots - Ride Into Reading. Thursdays now thru Dec 14 (except Thanksgiving Day).  10am. Ages 2-5. No registration required. Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Nancy's Book Club - 2nd Thursday. 11 am. Guests and new members invited
Island Readers' Book Club - 3rd Tuesday. 7 pm  Guests and new members invited


Island Theatre
islandtheatres.com   4074 Main Street   757-336-6109     Check website for times.
Now thru Nov 21 - Thor: Ragnorak (PG13)
Nov 22 - 30 - Coco (PG)
Dec 14 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG13) 7pm - Advanced Show - Tickets now on sale


Museum of Chincoteague Island
chincoteaguemuseum.com   7125 Maddox Blvd.   757-336-6117   
Open Fri - Sun 11am - 5pm thru Dec 3.   $4 Adults. Free 12 years & under, active military, & members .
Nov 27-29 & Dec 1-3 - Holiday Open House. Refreshments and kids' activities. Meet some of the talented artisans who create items for our shop.
Miles Hancock Workshop has moved to its new home at the Museum of Chincoteague Island. Check out the progress in its renovation. Press Release.


Town of Chincoteague
chincoteague-va.gov   6150 Community Drive   757-336-6519 
- Watch Town meetings  live. Just click on the "Watch Town Meetings Live" button at the top right corner of their website or click here.
-  The Town's informational television station has moved from Channel 9 to Channel 190.
- A new Emergency Operations Center Facebook page will be active during a storm or emergency serving the citizens & visitors of Chincoteague Island. Click here for link.
Member News

Eastern Shore Rural Health       esrh.org
Nov 1 - Dec 15 - Health Insurance Marketplace Open. Learn more at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Learn more about free local help.

Riverside Shore Hospice Thrift Stores in Oak Hall, Onancock and Exmore  to Close  - As of  Nov 14, all items in the stores will be marked 50% off.  The last day of operations will be Tuesday Nov. 28. All items remaining will be donated to other local and regional thrift stores.

Dec 1 - Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary's Annual Festival of Lights.  Tree lighting ceremony will take place under the front canopy of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock at 5:30pm followed by holiday music and refreshments.  Lights can be purchased in any quantity for $7 each.  Learn more.
VIRGINIA ECOTOUR GUIDE COURSE
Certifications to Improve Your Business or Resume

Eight-week class, offered "live" online Tuesday evenings, will provide successful students with 3 CEUs and certification credentials to lead their own Ecotours. The class will focus on the aspects of ecotourism, including, ecosystem science, customer service, business marketing, interpretation skills, culture, and natural history. A spring field trip will also be mandatory.
Guest speaker presentations will be incorporated into the course & active discussion is encouraged and required. Interpretive materials and resources for the course will be provided. In order to qualify for ecotourism certification, certification in CPR & First Aid Certification is required and can be obtained at the student's convenience.

Register now thru Dec 15.  Class runs Jan 9 - Feb 27 with Spring field trip.
Course Cost $150 discounted to $115 for re-certifications.

For more info & to register contact  Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Center at 757-789-7979.
CONTENT NEEDED - Holidays, Winter & Valentine's Day! Want to be included in a blog or an article on Virginia.org? Check out our content marketing calendar for things we are working on. You must be listed on Virginia.org for possible inclusion in any blog or article.  Log into the  Admin Tool  to get started. Email Robin at  [email protected]  for assistance or Patricia at  [email protected]  for blog questions.   View content calendar for 2017.

Attention Members
Information for inclusion must be submitted to [email protected]  by Wednesday each week.
 
Is your mini-webpage on chincoteaguechamber.com current? 
Email [email protected] with any changes. 
 
Become a Member
Visit chincoteaguechamber.com or call 757-336-6161 to learn more. 
Let us help you grow your business.
 
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Information described herein is not sponsored or endorsed by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, unless otherwise noted. Dates & events may be subject to change. For current information, please contact the event sponsor.
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center
6733 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  
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 Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.