OUT & ABOUT: Your weekly guide to what is happening on and around Chincoteague Island.
ONLY A FEW HUNDRED TICKETS REMAIN!
GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!

45TH ANNUAL CHINCOTEAGUE OYSTER FESTIVAL
October 7, 2017     |     10am - 4pm
Tom's Cove Park
$45/person (under age 5 is free)
Purchase at 
757-336-6161 or 6733 Maddox Blvd.

Oysters! Oysters! Oysters! On the Half Shell, Steamed, Single Fried and Frittered.
Clam Fritters, Clam Chowder, Shrimp Cocktail, Salad Bar, Hot Dogs, Hush Puppies, Boardwalk Fries, Coffee/Hot Chocolate, Water & Soft Drinks.
Domestic/Craft Beers and Desserts for purchase.

Live music by festival favorite Island Boy.

Gates open at 10am. Appetizers served at 11am. Full festivities at Noon.

Be a part of the tradition and celebrate the arrival of oyster season.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS


Now is a great time to join the Chamber.  Time is running out, however, to secure your space in the 2018 Visitor's Guide,  with 110,000 print copies and online presence .
  Learn more  and let us help you promote your business.

ATTENTION CURRENT MEMBER
If you have any questions regarding your membership or advertisement, contact Lea Ann at [email protected].
Congratulations to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company's Pony Penning 
on being one of two finalists for the '2017 Travel Attraction of the Year' Ordinary Awards presented by  Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. We wish our amazing CVFC the very best of luck in winning this award on October 2nd in Richmond, VA.

Awards are given in 16 individual & organizational categories to those who demonstrate exemplary passion for the hospitality & travel industry. The Travel Attraction of the Year Award honors an attraction for its contributions to Virginia's tourism industry-by implementing innovative ideas and/or demonstrating passion for enhancing travel to its community.

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce submitted the nomination for this award.
Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague Phone Book
If you would like to advertise in the 2018-2019 edition and have not already been contacted by a Kiwanis member, please email [email protected] .
What's Happening

Sept 21 - Business After Hours - Teacher Appreciation Night. 4pm-7pm. Presented by Midway Chevrolet, 1337 Ocean Hwy. Come out and show your appreciation for our teachers! Free school supplies for teachers. Food and refreshments for all!! Co-sponsored by Chincoteague, Crisfield, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Pocomoke Area and Snow Hill Chambers of Commerce.

Sep 23 -  MARSH Fest  -  Taste the best in regional brews & local food. Chincoteague Bay Field Station, 34001 Mill Dam Road, Wallops Island. Enjoy live bands & performers from up & down the Coast. Engage in hands-on experiences with nearby farmers, artisans & researchers. Explore all the marsh has to offer. 12noon - 6pm.  Visit  marshfest.org   for tickets & more info.

Sep 24 - Annual Sunset Cruise to benefit Chincoteague Cultural Alliance. 4:30pm. Tickets $40 each & include cruise, appetizers, & beverages. Purchase tickets online (credit card) or at Sundial Books or H&H Pharmacy (cash or check). Rain date Oct 1. Learn more.

Sep 27 -  Red Cross Blood Drive.  9am - 2pm. Chincoteague Coast Guard Station. Learn more.

Sept 29 - The Taste of Chincoteague -  Canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Sept 30 - Fee Free Day at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in honor of National Public Lands Day.

Sept 30 - 18th Annual Chili Chowder Cook-off and Car Show. Sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Chincoteague Island Carnival Grounds. Free Admission. LIve Music. Arts & Crafts Vendors. Great Food. Raffles. Family Fun. Little Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Stuff Competition and more. 11 AM - 5 PM. Food service beginning at Noon. Learn more or call 757-894-8771.
4th Annual Car Show -  Chincoteague Island Carnival Grounds. Registration 10 AM - Noon. Trophies awarded at 3 PM. $10 registration fee benefits new CVFC Fire House. First 50 registrations receive a commemorative dash plaque. Trophies for Best In Show, Fire Company's Choice, Mayor's Choice, and Top 30 People's Choice. Learn more
Save the Date

Oct 7 - 45th Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival . Tom's Cove Park. Celebrate the seafood festival and the arrival of oyster season! 8128 Beebe Road. 10am - 4pm. Tickets currently on sale! Learn more .

Oct 11 - Chamber Networking Luncheon. Join us at Don's Seafood Restaurant on the second Wednesday of each month from October to April for our Member Networking Luncheons. Bring your business cards and make valuable connections with other Chamber members to grow your business/organization while enjoying a delicious lunch. Noon - 1pm. $10/person + tip.

Oct 13-14 - Fall Roundup. Learn more.

Oct 18 - Financial Wellness Fair. Sponsored by Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by The Chincoteague Center. 6155 Community Drive. 9:30am - Noon. Meet with Accountants, Attorneys, Bankers, Financial Advisers, Insurance Agents, Realtors, Tax Preparers & Other Mercantile Services and learn how they can help you cultivate your financial wellness. Event is free and open to the public. Giveaways. Refreshments and more.

Nov 3 - Stronger Community Through Stories Free Storytelling for Your Business Seminar.
Lead by Donald Davis "Dean of Storytelling". Chincoteague Cultural Alliance Community Center for the Arts. 6309 Church Street. 1pm - 2pm. In adjunt to the Chincoteague Storytelling Festival. Light refreshments provided or bring a bag lunch. RSVP by Oct 31 to
[email protected] or 757-894-1953. Learn more.

Dec 2 - 38th Annual Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. Click here for parade applications (general entries, bands and fire companies) and to learn more.
Ongoing Activities
 
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility 
nasa.gov/centers/wallops/   Launch Info: 757-824-2050
Future Launches: 
Oct 3-14 Launch Window. ASPIRE Black Brant IX   Suborbital. 6:45 am - 10:15am. 
Nov 10 -  Antares/Cygnus launch to resupply International Space Station. 8:02am.
Launch Viewing Information

NASA Visitor Center -  nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter      757-824-1344
Open Tues - Sat. 10am - 4pm. Free Admission.
Registration for October Homeschool Science Series now open. Learn more.
Sep 23 - Solar System Activities . 11am - 11:30am.
Sep 23 - Hands-On Activities at MARSH Fest. Noon - 6pm.
Sep 30 - Imagination Playground. 11am - Noon. Ages 4-9.
Sep 30 - Tour of the Solar System. 2pm - 2:30pm. All Ages.


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/   757-336-6122   Open 5am - 10pm
Herbert H. Bateman Center     Open 9am - 5pm
Now thru Oct 6 - CNWR Annual Pass Photo Contest  -  Learn more.

Chincoteague Natural History  Association      piping-plover.org      757- 336-3696
Lighthouse - Seasonal operations & weather permitting 9am - 3pm. Closed Noon-12:30pm.
RefugeTrek - Weekends at 10am & 4pm. $14 adults. $7 children. 


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


Chincoteague Bay Field Station
cbfieldstation.org      34001 Mill Dam Road, Wallops Island     757-824-5636


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
Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market - Sat. thru Oct 28. 9am - 1pm.  New vendors welcome. Preregistration required.  Call or text 717-495-7155 for more info.
Kitchen Gallery - Sundays.  3pm - 5pm. Flight - Now thru Oct. 15. From rockets to birds, airplanes to balloons and more! 
Community Bingo - Last Monday of the month. 1pm.
Sep 22 - Mini Market Friday.  9am - 2pm. 
Sept 29 - Chincoteague Story Telling Guild. Refreshments at 6:30pm. Story Telling at 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 Sep 21 - Logan Lucky (PG13)
Sept 22-28 - Kingsmen (R)


Museum of Chincoteague Island
chincoteaguemuseum.com   7125 Maddox Blvd.   757-336-6117   
Open Fri - Sun 11am - 5pm.   $4 Adults. Free 12 years & under, active military, & members .


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

Marina Bay Hotel & Suites      3801 Main Street      757-336-3500      staymarinabay.com
Hurricane Relief - Will donate part of the hotel's entire month's revenue to Harvey victims. They are also arranging a local fund drive to help with the hotel's pledge.  Make a donation directly to the victims of hurricane Harvey, simply by staying at the Marina Bay Hotel.

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital      20480 Market Street,  Onancock      757-302-2140
riversideonline.com
Sep 23 - Auxiliary Ball. Dinner. Dancing. Silent Auction. Fellowship. 6pm - Midnight. Ker Place, 69 Market Street, Onancock. Learn more at [email protected] or facebook.com/rsmhball

Waterside Inn      3761 Main St     877-870-3434     watersideinn.biz
Sep 29-30 - Walking The Plank Art Show. Fri  4pm - 9pm.  Sat 30 9am - 9pm.  Free Admission. Contact Waterside Inn for special weekend rates.
Vote  for Southern Living's "2018 South's Best Awards"
at  southernliving.com/southsbestvote.  Voting is open to October 7, 2017.
CONTENT NEEDED! 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 Museum Directors, Boards & Volunteers
Chesapeake Connections: Training for Impactful Visitor Experience
A Workshop for Museum Professionals in Virginia -  Virginia Tourism Corporation & the National Park Service are teaming up to help small local museums create engaging and meaningful visitor experiences.  Participants will learn basic interpretive techniques, how to incorporate hands-on techniques, where to look for potential funding sources, and how to marketing museums and programs.  The workshop will also explore ways for new programs to connect to the themes of the upcoming Virginia commemorations, the USA 250 initiative, and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
 
Feature speakers will include local tourism directors, representative from Virginia Tourism Corporation, and representatives from the National Park Service.  This will be a hands-on workshop and every participant will leave with a binder of program ideas and marketing opportunities.
 
October 26, 2017 Comfort Suites, Chincoteague, Virginia
Workshops will be 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with sign-in starting at 9:30 a.m.
Registration Required. Click here to register.
 
There is no cost for the workshop. Advance registration is required. Light refreshments will be provided.  For more information contact Kate Marks Hardy with National Park Service at  410-260-2480   [email protected]  or Staci Martin with Virginia Tourism Corporation at 757-390-7330  [email protected]


Reach more visitors by adding your business listing and event info to  esvatourism.org, the free comprehensive website for tourism on Virginia's Eastern Shore. For more info, email  [email protected] .
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.
 
Share your photos with us on social media!  #chincochamber
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
  
Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   Find us on Pinterest   View on Instagram    View our videos on YouTube
  
 Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.