travel blurb...The Chincoteague (Virginia) Wild Pony Swim will be held on July 30, 2008

The Pony Swim: "The Pony Swim has occurred since 1925. If you go, be prepared to wait for long hours with the crowds in the hot sun. During the brief 3 minute pony swim event, the wild horses swim across the Assateague Channel when the tide is "slack calm" so the young ponies, which are born during spring or early summer, are safe from any strong currents. After watching the pony swim, visitors can attend the Chincoteague Carnival. "

"The Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim will be held on July 30, 2008 - the last Wednesday of July. The exact time is not mentioned until the day prior to the event (due to tidal conditions). During the pony swim, approx. 40,000 visitors wait along what many say is an "extremely over crowded shoreline". Large numbers of people wait for many long hours in an area far from the swim where the restrooms are located. There are no restrooms close to the swim since it is a tidal marsh.
People say that the best way for you to experience the wild ponies of Assateague Island is to just: "Go any other time during the season. That's when you can see them best. You can see the herds of wild ponies where they live along the island on the boat nature tour that runs from May 17th thru Oct 11th"."