Today is the big day, the pony swim. The herd swims across the channel at low tide from Assateague to Chincoteague where they will be auctioned tomorrow.
Parking is tough so plan ahead. There are several places to view the swim but Pony Swim Lane is the best. There are shuttles that will drop you at Memorial Park. Look online for information about times, transportation, and parking.
The swim was forecasted to take place between 8:30 and 10:30 am, and true to form it occurred shortly after 9:30 am. We were up and out by 7:00 am and we still had plenty of people that arrived well before we did. Do not wear good clothes/shoes to this event. I would even encourage you to invest in a pair of muck boots. You will not come out clean at Pony Swim Lane.
The swim itself only lasts for about 4 1/2 minutes so have your camera ready. Once the ponies are across they are rested for about 45 minutes. Plenty of time to get some more pictures.
Make your way out to the main road and wait for the Saltwater Cowboys to herd the ponies through town to the Fairgrounds where they are penned until the auction.