Chincoteague's Post Pony Penning Week Activities

Greetings from the Post Pony Penning Chincoteague Island "Happenings Update."
You would think that Chincoteague would be in a "let down" mode, but that's not the case at all. Music, Art Strolls and family fun are still in abundant supply. Take a look at my friend Evelyn Shotwell's comprehensive list of Chincoteague Island's activities this week.



From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 8/6/2009 4:20:31 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT


Good Afternoon All,

Hope you all survived Pony Penning without being too exhausted!! Thank goodness the rain (& mosquitoes) held off last week for most of the events. If you all are running out of suggestions to keep your guests and customers comfortable while under siege by the infamous Chincoteague mosquitoes, send them to the chamber office for ideas of indoor things to do.

Have fun out & about…while strolling or just enjoying the beach. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday look like GREAT beach days.



OUT & ABOUT



August 7: First Friday Talk—Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center—Park Ranger Chris Seymour will speak on “Forgotten Heroes”, United States Life-Saving Service at Assateague



August 8: 2nd Saturday Art Stroll—Demonstrations, Exhibitions, music, wine tasting, book signings, 4th Annual Queen for a Day & Soiree. Schedule in chamber office.



August 8 & 12: Farmer’s Market behind Don’s Seafood—8am to noon



August 11: Chincoteague Refuge Offers All-night Viewing of Perseid Meteor Shower—Pull an all-nighter on the beach and watch the meteor shower!!! Be on the beach by 10 pm. You can leave whenever you wish or stay all night. What a treat!



August 11-12 and 13-14: Wetland Education Workshop (WETMAAP)—Nasa Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center—Call Amanda Clark at 757-824-2297 or email Amanda.l.clark@nasa.gov to pre-register.



August 13: Summer Cinema Series—“BABE”—9 pm—Robert Reed Waterfront Park—Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the free movie!!!!



August 14: Charlie Sizemore Band (Bluegrass) will perform at Chincoteague Center at 7 pm. Call 757-336-0614 or 757-336-3030 for ticket information. Visit www.IslandBlueGrass.com.



*ASSATEAGUE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Thursday-Monday --9am to 3pm

*ASSATEAGUE ISLAND BUS TOURS: Thursday-Sunday, 10 am & 4 pm—757-336-3696



*ISLAND HISTORY TROLLEY TOURS: Every Tuesday & Thursday at 2:45 p.m. & 3:45 p.m. Ticket sales and tour departures at the Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Drive off Deep Hole Rd.



*STORY/CRAFT HOUR AT THE ISLAND LIBRARY: Every Thursday thru August 15 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for 4-8 year olds.



*NASA VISITOR CENTER ACTIVITIES:

August 8: “Sun-Earth Connections”--1 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays—“Puppets in Space”--11:00 a.m.

Sundays—“Humans in Space” – 30 minute program looks at living and working in space.

Wednesdays—“Virginia Space Flight Academy Rocket Launch”—2:30 p.m. Cancelled if raining or winds exceed 18 mph. Rain date: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.



*PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE: Follow the links below for activities including bird and nature walks, kayaking, surf rescue demonstrations, beach campfires and night hikes. Find schedules on http://www.nps.gov/asis/upload/August%202-8.pdf and http://www.nps.gov/asis/upload/August%209-15.pdf



*CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ACTIVITIES—check at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center for a list of summer events.



*“RIDE THE PONY EXPRESS”. Come by the chamber office for a schedule!





Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Do More, Spend Less

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Do More, Spend Less

Are you looking for ways to maximize your Chincoteague Island vacation fun while minimizing your expenses? Here are a few suggestions on how to stretch those vacation dollars as far as you can.

1) Go fly a kite. The Atlantic wind currents of the shores of Assateague Island were made to be mastered, and if you have the skill, master them you will with a double-or-more stringed sport kite from Chincoteague’s Kite Koop on Maddox Boulevard.

If you’re not up to handling an aircraft which can reach speeds of 60mph, the Kite Koop also has plenty of single line kites, including box and butterfly models in dazzling styles and colors.

No wind? The beach is still the beach, and swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing will fill the time until the breezes return.

2) Bring your bikes and hiking shoes. The flat landscapes of Chincoteague and Assateague are made for hiking and biking, and there’s no admission fee for accessing the Assateague National Seashore by either foot or bike. You can also rent bikes (helmets are complementary) from several shops on Maddox Boulevard.

Within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague you’ll find four hiking/biking trails ranging from 1 to 3.2 miles. Exploring them will provide opportunities to spot some of the Island’s more than 300 bird species.

If the kids are along, stop in at the Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center before hitting the trails, and ask about the Jr. Birder Booklets. Kids who complete the booklets during their visit are awarded Jr. Birder patches.

3) By planning your Chincoteague Island vacation far enough in advance, you can take advantage of one of the fee-free summer weekends during which there is no fee for bringing your vehicle to the Assateague National Seashore.

Also check before planning your trip to see if any Ranger-guided kids programs are available during your stay. These daily programs offer visiting kids a variety of close-up encounters with the natural world of Assateague. Some programs require advance reservations, but only one of them, “Kayak in the Cove,” requires a $10 fee.

As tourist destinations go, Chincoteague is and always has been a bargain. With a little effort and creativity, you can find many activities for little money. For example, the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival still has one full day left to go. Kids under 12 are admitted for just $1.00. Pick up a coupon in the Chincoteague Beacon, the island’s free newspaper and adults pay only $4.00 for an incredible amount of entertainment.

Discovering Chincoteague Island on a budget can be fun and won’t break the family budget. Enjoy!

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