04/02/2026
PRESS RELEASE: Seafood Lovers - Taste Coastal Tradition at the
56th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
Chincoteague Island, VA - [March 31, 2026] - Seafood lovers, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated 56th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival is set to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10am to 4pm at Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Road. This spring seafood tradition, hosted by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, promises a day filled with delicious local seafood, live entertainment, and festive fun on the beautiful shores of Chincoteague Island celebrating the island’s rich seafood heritage.
The festival offers fresh, local seafood in favorite Eastern Shore dishes prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals. Gates open at 10am for set up with appetizers available at 11am including clam chowder, salad bar, crab cheddar jalapeno poppers, grilled chicken compliments of Tyson Foods, sweet potato fries, Boardwalk fries, hushpuppies, and cornbread. At noon, indulge in little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, along with raw oysters and clams, clam fritters, single fried oysters, fried fish, clam strips, and steamed shrimp. Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price with beer and desserts available for cash purchase.
Sit back and enjoy or dance the afternoon away to live music performed by Island Boy. Commemorative glass beer mugs will be available as a keepsake of the memorable day along with t-shirts, hats, and souvenir food trays. Purchase plenty of Extravaganza of Prizes Raffle tickets for your chance to win tickets, t-shirts, and trays for next year's festival, lodging, gift certificates for meals, shopping and boat cruises, and so much more! The drawing takes place at the band stage at 4pm.
The festival is a fantastic opportunity to sample world-class seafood while also supporting local businesses. In between enjoying festival fare, be sure to stop by the sponsor, hospitality, and Arts & Crafts Corral vendor booths to learn about local businesses, enter drawings, grab fun swag, or purchase incredible hand-crafted items.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following for their support and participation:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Coastal Shore Vacations & Coastal Shore Real Estate, Derrickson Construction, LLC, Seaside Vacations & Sales, Tyson Foods
GOLD SPONSORS
Village Neighbors of Chincoteague Island
SILVER SPONSORS
Chincoteague Island Food Closet, MJ Beach Co.
RADIO SPONSORS
Accomack Title & Settlement, Inc., Angie Abell @ Beach Bay Realty, Hansen's Craftory, Island Chiropractic Center, Long and Foster Real Estate - Meghan Oliver Clarkson, Rothe, Weichert Realtors Mason-Davis
MAP SPONSORS
Atlantic Union Bank, Billy Reed Jr. Construction, Shine Consulting, LLC
T-SHIRT SPONSORS
Alley Oops! Express!, Captain Dan's Island Tours, Comfort Suites Chincoteague Island Bayfront Resort, CTG 101.5 "The Fun & Variety Station", Dockside Properties, Eastern Shore Literacy Council, Ginsberg, Nottingham, & Mapp, H & H Pharmacy, Island Getaways, LLC, Island Theatre, Key West Cottages, Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague Island, Landmark Insurance & Financial Group, Michael's Jewelry, Inc., Mister Whippy, Ray's Shanty Restaurant, Ropewalk, SALT Addict, LLC, Sunshine Cottage, Tangier Island Onancock Ferry
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Davis Disposal Company, Don's Seafood Restaurant, Moore's Portable Solutions, Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, WatsonGas
HOSPITALITY
LeafFilter Gutter Protection, PNC Bank, Virginia Spaceport Authority
ARTS & CRAFTS CORRAL
Chesapeake Jewelers, Donna's Crochet and Cross Stitch, Gotta Lovett, Hooked on Stitches, M.A.D. Trucker Hats, Pamela & Rose's One of A Kind, Rayo Del Sol
After indulging in the delicious flavors of the Chincoteague Seafood Festival, stay the weekend to unwind, explore, and immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty and coastal charm. It is sure to make for a memorable and rejuvenating getaway. With pristine beaches, scenic trails, and famous Chincoteague Ponies on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the islands provide a relaxing and picturesque escape. Browse our unique shops and art galleries, explore aboard a boat or kayak tour, and enjoy authentic local cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of our fine dining venues, quirky food trucks, or off-beat seafood shacks.
The Chincoteague Seafood Festival is a sell-out event and tickets are going fast, so purchase yours before they are gone! Tickets are $65 each (under 5 are free) and may be purchased at the chamber office at 6733 Maddox Boulevard, online at ChincoteagueChamber.com or by phone at 757-336-6161.
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 6733 Maddox Boulevard Chincoteague, VA 23336
www.chincoteaguechamber.com
# # # #
About Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is an organization whereby many different business interests have joined together in a combined manner to maximize their ability to attract and increase the number of visitors to Chincoteague Island. The ultimate goal of the organization is to communicate the message that Chincoteague, the “Beautiful Land Across the Water,” is the most desirable location to visit and/or vacation with family or friends.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is the official tourism office and website of Chincoteague Island and is a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and Certified Visitor Center designated by Viriginia Tourism Corporation. As the DMO for the Town of Chincoteague Island, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is tasked with increasing visitation to the island to support hospitality and related businesses who depend on tourism for their livelihood. Tourism is the #1 economic driver on an island where wild ponies, natural attractions, and rocket launches are key tourism products.
Media Contact:
Name: Joanne Moore
Title: Executive Director
Website: ChincoteagueChamber.com
Phone: 757-336-6161
Email address: [email protected]
