Fall in Talbot County, Maryland is synonymous with the Waterfowl Festival. Commemorated like a holiday by locals, as area schools typically close for the festivities, the festival draws attendees from throughout the Mid-Atlantic and makes for a great getaway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The festival celebrates Eastern Shore heritage, encapsulating the history of waterfowl traditions dating back centuries and recognizes artists who strive to represent these traditions in their work. Book your stay, grab your tickets, and use the info below to plan your route to explore the 2024 Waterfowl Festival in Talbot County, Maryland!
Held largely in the town of Easton, the Waterfowl Festival is composed of a variety of individual location points, each with their own unique offerings. Below is information on the main stops along the festival route.
Waterfowl Festival’s Chesapeake Bay Pavilion
The Chesapeake Bay Pavilion is located on the grounds of Easton VFW Post 5118. Here you’ll find a variety of activities, including a chance to see hawks, falcons, and owls take flight during twice-daily demonstrations with Sky Hunters in Flight. If you could benefit from effective dog training techniques for your four-legged friend, don’t miss the upland field training demonstrations presented by Mason-Dixon Outfitters, which are also offered twice per day. Their expert trainers will be on hand to answer questions and offer personalized advice. In addition to daily demonstrations, the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion features both indoor and outdoor vendors including artisans, outdoor brands, and the Department of Natural Resources. Holding true to its name, the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion features Eastern Shore food favorites, including oysters, crab soup, and blue catfish, which can be enjoyed with cold brews from locally produced Big Truck Brewing or national brands from Kelly Distributors for those 21+.
Waterfowl Festival’s Party at the Ponds
Join the Party at the Ponds at Bay Street, presented by The Oaks Waterfront Hotel. This Waterfowl Festival stop is a favorite among both outdoor enthusiasts and families. The Talbot Retriever Club hosts retriever demonstrations throughout the weekend, where the entertaining and amazing leaps from well-trained, skilled canines can be witnessed. Volunteers from the MidShore Chapter of the Maryland Coastal Conservation Association and Easton Elks Lodge #1622 are on site with rods, reels, and bait to teach children how to cast and reel in their lines. Seeing the big smiles as kids are handed a ‘first catch’ certificate is worth the stop. Bass Pro Outfitters offers an interactive archery game for kids. Off Course is hosting a disc golf demo. Families can stop by the Quackin’ Corner kid’s spot hosted by M&T Bank. Food and drink vendors include the famous Beer Wetlands sponsored by Kelly Distributing, Gourmet by the Bay’s iconic mobile bar featuring seasonal cocktails and eats, and The Sweet Fix Teats & Cookies truck.
Waterfowl Festival’s Sportsman’s Pavilion
The Sportsman’s Pavilion, at the Easton Elks Lodge, is a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, as vendors feature the latest hunting and fishing gear to peruse or take home. The Dock Dogs offers great entertainment for all ages throughout the weekend, and you can even sign up your dog on-site to compete. Inside the Elks Lodge, you’ll find a warm place to dine on fresh, locally made Eastern Shore staples including crab cakes, soft crabs, oysters, and BBQ. Hop over to the Easton High School to check out the Buy, Sell, Swap and peruse this year’s Maryland Migratory bird stamp design contest entries.
Waterfowl Festival Art Pavilions
Throughout Easton’s downtown, art pavilions will enchant and entice collectors to seek out the 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 by PNC Bank. Be sure to take in the work of this year’s featured artist, Texas-based sculptor and painter Ronnie Wells.
Waterfowl History at The Country School
Learn about the evolution of waterfowling, through the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling artifacts on display at The Country School. On loan from private and museum collections, artifacts date back centuries and include decoys, guns, gunning boats among others. The exclusive Guyette and Deeter auction is held on-site, featuring 550 investment-quality decoys and related items. Auction sales annually surpass $2 million.
Waterfowl Festival’s Quackin’ Trail for Kids
Pick-up a Willa’s Waterfowl adventure map for your little duckling and follow along the festival’s new Quackin’ Trail. Along the way, you’ll encounter a live mermaid, the Phillip’s Wharf Fishmobile, face painting, a goose-calling clinic, a silhouette painting class, and a live terrapin exhibit. Be sure to find the festival’s mascots – Willa, Webster, and Winston for a special selfie opportunity. Children under ten receive free admission to the Waterfowl Festival when accompanied by an adult ticket purchaser, and activities along the Quackin’ Trail are complimentary. Some activities require advanced reservations though and can fill quickly, so be sure to register in advance when offered.
Waterfowl Festival Tickets and Parking
Waterfowl Festival Tickets – Purchase your tickets in advance to save time. Admission is $25 per ticket, and tickets are valid for all three days, include parking and bus transportation. Children under 10 are admitted free when accompanied by a paid ticket holder.
Parking and Transportation – Scope out your preferred parking area on the festival map in advance. Ample accessible parking and ticket booths are located at Easton Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Parking is free for ticket holders. After parking, leave your car behind for the day, and utilize the festival’s convenient and free bus transportation.
Waterfowl Festival Tips and Tricks
Talbot Humane Doggie Daycare – If you 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. Service is available on the Armory Lawn for a small donation.
Beer lovers unite at the Duck Blind, Qlarant Tasting Tent, 4 Dogs Patio Paw-ty, and Delmarva Craft’s Cocktail Corner – Craft beer and specialty cocktails will be poured at locations throughout the festival, including the festival’s very own seasonal blend, In Flight, a special collaboration by Burnish Brewing Company and Bird Nickel Brewing.
Take Home Festival Swag – Warm up and pick up something to take home from the Waterfowl Festival’s licensed apparel shop inside the Duck Blind, featuring gear from Brackish Life.
Waterfowl Festival – A Conservation Effort – Since its inception in 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly $6 million for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, and cultural initiatives, including student scholarships, ensuring that future generations are able enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments.
