Waterfowl Festival 2025 Essentials:
– Schedule of Events
– Festival Map
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 2025 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 you’ll find information on the main stops along the festival route.
Downtown Easton
At the heart of the Waterfowl Festival you’ll discover downtown Easton, which is alive with art, exhibits, live music, and family-friendly activities. Stroll the historic streets, explore galleries filled with world-class wildlife art, shop from local vendors, and enjoy food and entertainment around every corner. Savor Eastern Shore flavors as well as regional beer, wine, and spirits in the Tasting Pavilion. At the Talbot County Free Library, children can enjoy family-fun activities throughout the festival including a visit with The Chesapeake Mermaid. Be sure to stop by Marshland Mercantile, the festival’s official shopping hub.
Waterfowl Festival’s Bay Street Ponds
Join the Waterfowl Festival at Bay Street Ponds, a favorite festival stop for 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 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.
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 offer great entertainment for all ages throughout the weekend, and you can even sign your dog up 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.
Birds of Prey at Easton High School
Hop over to the Easton High School for a variety of activities, including a chance to see hawks, falcons, and owls take flight during Birds of Prey demonstrations. The school grounds will also host field dog demos as well as a Buy, Swell, Swap. Families can take part in the Soap Carving & Silhouette Painting activities and learn about ongoing efforts to protect wildlife from the Conservation Corner. The best callers from around the country will compete during the World Waterfowl Championship Calling Contest.
Arts at the Waterfowl Festival
Throughout Easton’s downtown, art pavilions and indoor displays at the Avalon, Armory, and Christ Church will enchant and entice collectors to seek out the best in wildlife sculpture, paintings, carvings, and photography. Over 100 artists join the festival every year, bringing a selection of the nation’s finest art. Be sure to take in the work of this year’s featured artist, Texas-based sculptor and painter Al Barker. Stop by the Academy Art Museum for artists talks, workshops and art auctions.
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’ Corners for Kids
Throughout the festival, you’ll find designated Quackin’ Corners for children. Visit each spot to collect a special stamp. Children under ten receive free admission to the Waterfowl Festival when accompanied by an adult ticket purchaser. Some activities require advanced reservations 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 12 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. 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.
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.
