Assateague Channel is a channel on the

Eastern Shore of Virginia The Eastern Shore of Virginia is the easternmost region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It consists of two counties (Accomack County, Virginia, Accomack and Northampton County, Virginia, Northam ...

between Chincoteague Island and

Assateague Island Assateague Island is a long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The northern two-thirds of the island are in Maryland, and the southern third is in Virginia. The entire island is ...

. The Assateague Channel connects to Assateague Bay to the northeast and Chincoteague Inlet to the southwest.GMCO Maps & Charts. ''GMCO's Fishing & Recreation Map of Chincoteague-Assateague, Virginia'', 2003.

Annual Pony Swim

On the last Wednesday in July, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department conducts the annual Wild Pony Swim as part of Pony Penning. Salt Water Cowboys round up wild Chincoteague Ponies from

and drive them across the Assateague Channel to Veteran's Memorial Park on Chincoteague Island.''Chincoteague Beachcomber''. "Pony Penning Wed., Thurs.", July 25, 2008, p. 2. Once on Chincoteague Island, the Salt Water Cowboys herd the ponies to pens on the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds where some of the foals are auctioned off the next day.Gooldrup, Harley. ''Chincoteague Beachcomber''. "How did the ponies get to the island?", July 25, 2008, p. 5. This traditional event in its current form has taken place since 1925 to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, but its roots date back to the 17th century.

Footnotes

Assateague Island Bodies of water of Accomack County, Virginia Bodies of water of Virginia Channels of the United States Chincoteague, Virginia {{AccomackCountyVA-geo-stub

Annual Pony Swim

See also

Footnotes