Plan your route at the 2024 Waterfowl Festival to find something fun for everyone!
[Easton, MD] – October 10, 2024–Venues for the Waterfowl Festival 2024 offer fun for the whole family! Follow the Quackin’ Trail, ride a bus to your favorite exhibit, wine, dine, dance in the streets, and shop ‘til you drop at the art exhibits and exciting outdoor and indoor pavilions.
Quackin’ Trail – Little ducklings can pick up a Willa’s Waterfowl adventure map at any ticket booth and follow along for exhibits that will delight the kids! Activities include a live mermaid, the Phillip’s Wharf Fishmobile, face painting, goose calling clinic, silhouette painting class, and a live terrapin exhibit. Be sure to find Willa, Webster, and Winston, the festival’s mascots, for a special selfie that will make everyone smile. All kids activities are free for kids under ten with an adult ticket, some activities require advance reservation.
Chesapeake Bay Pavilion – The Easton VFW Grounds will host a variety of activities such as the incredible raptor exhibit “Skyhunters in Flight.” Browse our indoor/outdoor vendors such as North Point Marina, various artisans, Mason-Dixon Outfitters, North American Retriever Club demos, and conservation exhibitors including Department of Natural Resources.
Talbot Humane Doggie DayCare – Can’t go anywhere without your pup but sometimes need a little “me-time?” Let Talbot Humane Society volunteers pamper your pooch while you enjoy the indoor exhibits. Armory Lawn. Small donation.
Party at the Ponds! – Whether you are a hunter, angler, boater, dog lover, or just an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find something to interest you at the festival’s very own Bay Street Ponds property presented this year by The Oaks Waterfront Hotel. Festival guests can enjoy a glimpse of the hunting and angling world with the Talbot Retriever Club Dog Demonstrations, Kids Fishing Derby and Fly Fishing Demonstrations. Enjoy an interactive kid’s archery game by Bass Pro Outfitters, disc golf demo with Off Course and a Quackin’ Corner kid’s spot hosted by M&T Bank! Eat and drink at the famous Beer Wetlands sponsored by Kelly Distributing and enjoy a seasonal cocktail and eats from Gourmet by the Bay’s iconic mobile bar. The Sweet Fix truck will be there too!
The Duck Blind, Tasting Tent, 4 Dogs Patio Paw-ty, and the Cocktail Corner – Beer lovers unite! Craft beer and specialty cocktails will be on the taps at the indoor Duck Blind venue, the tasting pavilion, and the Academy Art Museum’s cocktail corner presented by Delmarva Craft. Warm up and pick up your winter swag from RAR Brewing, Big Truck, Brackish Life, Waterfowl Festival licensed apparel shop and more in the Duck Blind. Featuring the Waterfowl Festival’s very own seasonal blend “In Flight” – a special collaboration by Burnish Brewing Company and Bird Nickel Brewing. In Qlarant tasting pavilion, local wine, cheese, beer and other delights will be available to sample and purchase. Throughout the weekend, join 4 Dogs Brewing at the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for a fun, lively patio party including a free Goose Music Conservation Kickoff Friday night.
Sportsman’s Pavilion – Outdoor enthusiasts and sporting visitors can delight in the array of Sportsman’s Pavilion vendors at the Easton Elks Lodge, offering everything from big-game hunting adventure trips to the smallest fishing lure. Incredible new outdoor Waterfowl Festival attire will be here with the Brackish Life showcase. Warm up with the fire pits, dance to the live music, and shop for everything outdoors! Don’t miss the Delmarva Dock Dogs – a festival favorite for decades. Nearby, make sure to stop in to the Buy, Sell, Swap exhibit at Easton HIgh School and listen in at the World Waterfowl Calling Contest – host to the globe’s best callers since 1976.
Art Pavilions – Throughout downtown, a variety of art pavilions will enchant and entice collectors to seek out the very best in wildlife sculpture, paintings, carvings, and photography. A selection of the nation’s finest artisans and artists will be represented in the Pavilions presented this year by PNC Bank. Don’t miss the Featured Artist table, where Texas-based sculptor and painter Ronnie Wells will unveil this year’s waterfowl sculpture and painting.
The Country School – Take a bus to the Country School this year, the new home of the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling and History exhibits, the exclusive Guyette and Deeter auction, and the fun Tailgating swap and sell, a favorite of long-time festival attendees for its variety of affordable collectibles.
Parking and Transportation – Enjoy free parking and bus transportation with a festival ticket. Ample accessible parking, ticket booths, and bus stops will be located at Easton High School, Easton Elementary School, and Easton Middle School. Transportation and parking are available free with the support of Londonderry on the Tred Avon, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Benson and Mangold, and the Talbot County Public School System. Four bus routes this year will get your where you need to go, fast!
Questions? Please contact us at the Waterfowl Festival office, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00PM. Volunteers are needed for all venues and will earn a free ticket good for all three days of the festival!
For tickets please visit: https://waterfowlfestival.org/festival-tickets/
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About the Waterfowl Festival
Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships, and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.
The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen. We gratefully acknowledge the support of our 2024 Legacy Conservation Partners – PNC Bank, Guyette and Deeter, Ducks Unlimited, and the Maryland State Arts Council.
For more information about the Waterfowl Festival, including ticket sales and a full schedule of events, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.
How to Participate:
