Waterfowl Festival 55 announces Five Exciting Venue Changes
1. The Waterfowl Festival Sporting and Cultural Heritage Center
Visitors will experience the newly restored historic Waterfowl Building (formerly the Easton Armory) like never before. Renamed the Sporting and Cultural Heritage Center and presented by Guyette & Deeter, the landmark venue will be a vibrant hub of festival activity celebrating the sporting traditions, artistic excellence, and cultural heritage of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Throughout the weekend, guests can explore the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling Artifacts Exhibit, meet the 2025 and 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Artists, and enjoy a curated exhibition of stunning Eastern Shore photography.
The Center will also feature distinguished collections of antique and contemporary decoys and collectible firearms from notable private and public collections. Visitors can watch master decoy carvers at work, meet experts in the field, and browse investment-quality sporting collectibles offered by respected dealers from across the country. This location will also feature a newly created VIP lounge upstairs- perfect for enjoying a break with family and friends.
2. The Canvasback Courtyard and Maryland’s Best Tasting Pavilions
Festival guests will discover two exciting new destinations designed to bring people together through the flavors of the Chesapeake.
Located just across the street from Festival Headquarters (formerly the Easton Armory), the new Canvasback Courtyard will feature the re-imagined Duck Blind Bar creating an inviting gathering place where visitors can enjoy the official Waterfowl Festival beer and other local libations, shop, listen to live entertainment, and connect with friends. This location features delicious food and unique shopping at the Marshland Mercantile.
Just down Harrison Street near the Tidewater Inn and Fine Art Pavilions, visitors can experience Maryland’s Best Tasting Pavilion, sponsored by Qlarant and presented by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This delicious showcase celebrates the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland agriculture, featuring fresh Chesapeake oysters alongside an outstanding selection of specialty foods crafted by Maryland farmers, watermen, and artisan producers.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample regional favorites, meet the people behind the products, discover new flavors, and purchase locally made specialties to take home—all while celebrating the industries that help sustain Maryland’s economy, heritage, and natural resources.
3. Free Admission for the Next Generation of Ducksitters
The Waterfowl Festival is making it easier than ever for families to experience the tradition together.
This year, children ages 15 and under receive free admission with a paid adult, making the Festival more accessible for families from across the region.
Young people ages 16 and older can earn complimentary admission by volunteering during Waterfowl Weekend or throughout the year. These dedicated youth volunteers—known as Ducksitters—become part of one of the Eastern Shore’s most treasured traditions while gaining valuable experience and becoming eligible to apply for the Festival’s annual William A. Perry Scholarship program.
By investing in young volunteers today, the Waterfowl Festival continues to inspire the next generation of conservationists, artists, community leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
4. Return of the Tidewater Gold Room!
Art has always been at the heart of the Waterfowl Festival, and this year’s milestone celebration continues that tradition with one of the strongest juried exhibitions in the Festival’s history. Presented by PNC Bank, the three art pavilion spaces are re-designed for attendee and artist comfort in mind.
In honor of the Festival’s 55th anniversary, 55 carefully selected juried artists will showcase outstanding wildlife and sporting art, representing both nationally recognized masters and exceptional emerging talent. The carefully curated collection reinforces the Festival’s reputation as one of America’s premier destinations for wildlife art collectors.
Adding to the excitement, the beloved Gold Room at the historic Tidewater Inn returns as a premier exhibition space featuring an exceptional juried collection of wildlife and sporting artists from across the country. The Crystal room will be back once again on premier night, starting off the festival with a champagne reception for our VIP attendees – allowing them a first look at the reimagined art galleries. The sculpture pavilion and the Framptom building will also host the featured artists.
Together with the Festival’s outstanding galleries and exhibition venues, visitors will enjoy even more opportunities to discover extraordinary paintings, sculpture, carvings, photography, and fine crafts from some of today’s most accomplished artists.
5. Voices of the Chesapeake
New this year, Voices of the Chesapeake brings the stories, traditions, wildlife, and conservation efforts of the Chesapeake Bay region to life through an engaging series of demonstrations, lectures, and live presentations.
Hosted at the historic Avalon Theatre, this immersive educational experience welcomes visitors of all ages to learn from wildlife educators, artists, and historians. Guests can enjoy exciting goose and duck calling demonstrations, experience live raptor presentations featuring hawks, owls, and falcons, and meet a variety of wildlife ambassadors while learning about their important role in the Chesapeake ecosystem.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can also attend presentations on hunting traditions, decoy carving, wildlife art, habitat conservation, sporting heritage, and the rich history and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Interactive demonstrations and audience discussions provide opportunities to engage directly with presenters, creating memorable experiences for lifelong outdoor enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.
By celebrating the voices, stories, and traditions that have shaped the Chesapeake for generations, Voices of the Chesapeake reflects the Waterfowl Festival’s enduring mission to inspire conservation, preserve heritage, and foster appreciation for the natural world.
Tickets to the festival are $25 for a weekend pass and includes all sporting, art, music, and cultural attractions. For tickets and more information visit waterfowlfestival.org
