You Can Watch Wild Ponies Swim During This Wonderfully Unique Summer Event In Virginia
The Chincoteague Pony Swim is an annual event in Virginia where wild ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island, attracting thousands of visitors.
It sounds like the plot of a fairytale: hundreds of wild island ponies swimming together across a channel of water to a beautiful stretch of shoreline. Yet this is a completely normal occurrence in Chincoteague, Virginia, where the pony swim is an annual event. Thousands of people visit the Eastern Shore of Virginia to watch this magical occurrence, now in its 97th year. So mark your calendars for July 26th, 2023, and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Spend any amount of time on Chincoteague and you'll quickly discover the enthusiasm and love of the wild island ponies.
The Chincoteague Pony Swim is a beloved event that visitors and locals rally behind each summer. During this event, the wild island ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island.
These beautiful ponies are cared for by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. After the swim each year, there’s an auction for the foals. In 2019, the grand total was a record-breaking $271,000, most of which is donated to the caring of the animals.
If this plot sounds familiar, you’ve most likely seen Misty, the film based on a beloved novel inspired by this annual swim. Each year, there’s also a screening of the movie.
So whether you’re inspired by this fairytale-like event, or are curious to experience the beautiful fishing village, you won’t regret your trip to Chincoteague Island.
Have you ever experienced the annual pony swim on Chincoteague Island before? We’d love to hear all about your experience there! For more information, be sure to visit the official Chincoteague Island website. And be sure to browse these great places to stay in Chincoteague, Virginia while you're planning your visit!
Virginia is positively brimming with historic homes. If you've ever toured one, you may have noticed that the porch ceiling was painted a very faint shade of light blue, also known as Haint blue. In fact, this is actually quite common with historic homes throughout the South. The reason is somewhat surprising and quite intriguing! Continue reading to learn the answer to the question: "Why are porches in Virginia painted blue?"
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Front porches are always a welcome addition to homes, especially historic ones. If you've visited several of these throughout Virginia, you've likely noticed that many of them seem to have one thing in common: the ceilings are painted light blue!
You might assume the porch ceilings are painted this shade because it's reminiscent of a clear blue sky. Others have guessed that the color might ward off bugs or bees.
The real reason, however, is to ward off ghosts. It's a tradition that began with the Gullah-Geechee people in Georgia and South Carolina, who believed that the shade of blue would mimic water, which ghosts could not pass through.
The Gullah-Geechee were enslaved peoples, and therefore many of their beliefs were adopted by white southern culture, where the tradition of painting porch ceilings blue has become a common custom.
The next time you are touring a historic home in Richmond or another location in the south, see if you notice the distinctive light blue color of the porch ceilings.
Did you know the reason Virginia porch ceilings are painted light blue? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For related content, check out our list of the most terrifying, haunted places in Virginia.
Looking for even more to explore? Take a look at this fascinating 60-second tour of Shenandoah National Park:
Living in Virginia means something different to each resident. And yet there are plenty of things that unite us all: our love of nature, our fondness for the mountains and beach, our appreciation for history, and our knowledge of where to find the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in every city. With that in mind, we've compiled a collection of photos that we think perfectly summarizes what it's like to live here. See how many of these images resonate with you!
Ah, the mountains. Don't you feel calmer just seeing this vista? Virginia is home to the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. These are some of the oldest mountains in the world, and they promise adventure to anyone who sees them.
Is it just us, or is the "Welcome to Virginia" sign one of the best sights in the world? It's home sweet home, and a sight for sore eyes if you've been driving for a while.
Blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay help support the region's commercial fisheries. In fact, annual revenue from crabbing has been valued between $22 million to $38 million annually! Here in Virginia, we are grateful for both the Chesapeake Bay and the incredible wildlife it supports. Learn more about blue crabs and supporting the Bay's wildlife when you visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation online.
Towering 26 feet tall above the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the King Neptune Statue is an iconic Virginia sight. The statue is the work of Paul DiPasquale, and it was dedicated to the City of Virginia Beach on September 30, 2005.
Farmlands, orchards, vineyards -- we grow a lot here in Virginia! We're proud of our incredible produce. What would living in Virginia be without hardworking farmers? Or apple cider donuts? Or local Virginia wine?
Hosted by the Chincoteague Fire Department, the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim is a celebrated event where the ponies are rounded up by a group known as the Saltwater Cowboys, who usher them across Assateague Channel to Veteran's Memorial Park. Each year, the July event draws tens of thousands of spectators from around the globe!
If you weren't already convinced of Virginia's lengthy history, the fact that 2,900 historical markers exist throughout the state is evidence enough. Virginia's history is vast, complicated, brutal, and inspiring, and these markers help us remember these vital chapters in our state's history. Photographed above is the Emancipation Oak Historical Marker in Hampton.
8. The Richmond skyline viewed across the James River
Home of the first U.S. President, Mount Vernon is steeped in history. It's a sight, along with similar estates such as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, that most Virginians have seen at least once.
Virginia is home to more miles of the Appalachian Trail than any other state! Taking a day hike or tackling a portion of the A.T. is a common pastime among Virginia hikers.
Virginia has so many rivers and waterways that you could easily devote an entire lifetime to paddling them all! Nearly every Virginian has experienced some time on the river, no matter which river you happen to call home.
Compared to other states, we don't get a ton of snow here in Virginia, so when it does snow, you can bet that we're outside playing in it! Sledding down a hill, having a snowball fight, there's nothing quite like a snow day here in Virginia.
13. A simmering pot of Brunswick stew on a fall day
Brunswick stew is a pride and joy of Virginia's culinary scene, dating back hundreds of years. There's some dispute over whether this dish originated in Georgia or Virginia -- but I think you can guess where we stand on the issue!
Music is an integral part of Virginia's history and culture. This feels especially true in southwest Virginia, where traditions like the Friday Night Jamboree in Floyd invite visitors and travelers alike to participate in song and dance.
It's not uncommon to stop by a hole-in-the-wall in Virginia that's been around for decades. That's because the food is *that* good. Almost every major city - and small town - in Virginia has a handful of these locally-run establishments that have stood the test of time. Who needs fast food when you have incredible offerings like this? Photographed above is the Blue & White Carryout in Alexandria.
You know you're in for quite an adventure when you take the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Measuring over 17 miles, this Chesapeake Bay crossing is nothing short of an engineering marvel.
Made right here in Virginia along the famous Route 11, these potato chips are the absolute best! Have you toured the Route 11 potato chip factory?
How many of these photos seemed familiar to you? Are there any images you would add that summarize living in Virginia? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Did some of these places seem new? If so, maybe it's time for a road trip! Check out our essential road trip packing list for more inspiration.
Looking for related content? Check out these jokes about life in Virginia:
