Visit Chincoteague, Virginia This Summer

When I was a kid, there was rarely a summer that passed when we didn't visit Chincoteague Virginia. A small town with a population of only 4,300 people, it is an area best known for the Chincoteague Pony. So if you want to take your family on a fantastic vacation this July, why not visit Virginia for Chincoteague's annual Pony Penning Day and other fantastic adventures.

The Pony Penning Day is an annual event held in Chincoteague, Virginia. Beginning in 1925, this event features the Chincoteague Pony swimming from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. After the horses make the swim across the shallow water, they are gathered together to run down Main Street.

Held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July each year, the pony penning ceremony is a huge tourist attraction. The horses will take the swim on Wednesday and the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department will auction off the foals of that year to breeders and horse lovers on Thursday. If you wish to stay one final day, on Friday, the remaining ponies will venture to swim back to Assateague Island until next year.

The Chincoteague Ponies themselves are a common tourist attraction all year long. Being mixed with Arabian and Mustang breeds, the wild ponies follow no true breed standard. Widely known as a breed which requires little care the Chincoteague pony rarely requires shoes. The pony colors and patterns range from browns to blacks and rarely whites.

Assateague Island a sort of twin city with Chincoteague is not only known for the Chincoteague Pony. With the Assateague Lighthouse and four bayside and two beachside sites available for camping, Assateague Island is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Offering several primitive campsites run by the National Park Service, kayak touring, hiking and vehicle off-roading, you will rarely find you more uncivilized place to camp. Be sure to keep in mind that it is best to camp in the spring time and fall due to heavy mosquito populations in the summer.