Beginning of the New Era - CVFC Carnival, Pony Penning, Pony Swim and Auction: 1925

   On 11 July 1925, The Worcester Democrat and the Ledger-Enterprise newspaper of Pocomoke City, Maryland carried this item on page 2, under the heading of  'State and Peninsula News':   "Citizens of Chincoteague are making big preparations for a Firemen's Carnival to be held there from Thursday, July 23, closing night, August 1st.  Posters advertising the occasion are being distributed not only on the Eastern Shore of Virginia but in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

   In connection with this affair the annual Pony Penning takes place this year on Thursday July 30th.  This has always been a big occasion on Chincoteague and will be this year also.  Special attractions are being secured for the carnival and all who attend are assured a good time.

   This carnival is being held to raise funds for the purchase of a motor fire engine equipment and chemical engine.  Chincoteague has been in need of suitable fire fighting apparatus for some time and this attempt to raise the money shows the spirit of the town's citizens.  The equipment they seek to get costs about $8800."

   The Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tuesday, July 14th, had an article on page 7 that declared:  "Islanders Prepare For Pony Penning  -  Many Features Are Arranged For Chincoteague's Celebration.  -  Accomac Courthouse, Va., July 13. -  The citizens of Chincoteague Island in charge of the pony penning this year has arranged one of the most attractive programs in a number of years.  The pony penning on Chincoteague takes place on Thursday, July 30. ...."

Chincoteague Main Street, morning of 1925 Pony Penning

   The Worcester Democrat and the Ledger-Enterprise filled this information out on July 18, on page 1:  "Chincoteague Prepares For Pony Penning  -  Annual Event Will Be Staged In Conjunction With Firemen's Carnival Starting July 23  -  The citizens committee of Chincoteague Island in charge of the pony penning program this year has arranged one of the most attractive programs in a number of years.  The pony penning on Chincoteague takes place on Thursday, July 30th, and on that day there will be something going on all the time.  There will be pony racing beginning at 10 A. M., followed by bag races, catching greased pigs, boys' and girls' swimming matches, tub races, work boat race, and a fast motor-boat race for the fastest speed boat on the Eastern Shore.  Entries in this event are:  Thomas Powell, Wachapreague, Va.;  John Parramore, owned by A. C. Johnson, Wachapreague, Va.;  Dort, owned by Elmer Littleton, of Modest Town, Va.;  Mary E., owned by Percy Nock, of Temperanceville, Va.;  Billy Jr., owned by S. W. Alexander, of Chincoteague, Va.;  and Alma H., owned by T. L. Hinman, of Bloxom, Va.

   This event should prove a stellar attraction as there is much rivalry among these boat owners.  In the afternoon, at 3:45 P. M., there will be a big baseball game.

   Pony penning time this year comes during the Firemen's Carnival which is being held at Chincoteague, Thursday, July 23d, to Saturday, August 1st, in order to raise funds for the purchase of fire equipment.  While the engine and fire truck only cost $8800, it take take approximately $10,000.00 to get all the fire equipment.  The carnival is expected to attract large crowds each night.  To help out the citizens committee the Chincoteague Toll Road & Bridge Company, have announced that there will be free tolls each evening during the carnival from 6 to 12 P. M.  This will give many a chance to visit Chincoteague, who have not taken the opportunity to do so before.  There will be something doing all day pony penning day and each evening during the Carnival."

    ** On July 29, 1925, the Associated Press released an article that ran in newspapers between the release date and August 4th, about Chincoteague and Pony Penning.  I've found 45 different newspapers ranging from Miami, Florida to Seattle, Washington that carried the article, each with a different headline and sub-heads, as well as clipping a few sentences here and there to make the article fit the space available.  As far as I can tell, this is the entire article, from the 29 July edition of The Bradenton Herald (of Bradenton, Florida):  "Chincoteague Ready For Annual Roundup  -  First Of Them Held Two Centuries Ago  -  An Institution On Little Island Off The Coast Of Virginia  -  (By the Associated Press.)  -  Chincoteague Island, Va.,  July 29.  -  Chincoteague Islanders will gather tomorrow in festive garb for the annual wild pony round-up.  Chincoteague is the "Wild West" of the East.  Its round-up antedates the American cowboy and its wild ponies roamed the marshes long before the first mustang was lassoed.

   Two hundred and fifty years ago, the first English settlers were amazed to find the island inhabited by wild horses and Indian cattle.  How the first horses reached this little island fives miles off the Eastern Shore of Virginia is not known.  If the story told by the Indians is to be believed, they swam ashore from Spanish shipwreck.

   Hundreds of ponies were taken in the round-ups of former years and they found their way into many different sections of the country.  There are fewer of them now, but the Chincoteague people, setting aside July 30 as "pony penning" day have made the event an annual custom.  Buyers and visitors come in from the mainland and there is a varied and interesting program of contests and games following the "penning."

     -  The Chincoteague Pony  -

   The Chincoteague pony is generally known to the American public through the similes of writers who often refer to something as having the color "of a Chincoteague pony."  Few persons know that these little horses came from a marshy, wooded island which is part of Accomack county, Virginia.  The strain is not so pure now as it was in former years.  The Shetland pony together with other breeds has been introduced and the effect has wrought variety.  The original Chincoteague pony was a distinct, striking breed.  It had a long flowing tail and mane and was highly prized during the era of carriages and carts.

   The fleet ponies are rounded up by horsemen who drive them into pens where they are caught and haltered.  It sometimes requires several hours to guide the drove into the pens.

   The islanders gain their sustenance largely from the sea.  They have built up an extensive fish and oyster industry.

   It was necessary, however, to till small patches of ground for bread and vegetables.  The wild pony had to be restricted.  So he was fenced off from the settlements and the fields and was allowed to continue roaming at will in the lower sections of the island.  There the ponies are to be found in much the same state as when the first white man came.  If the marsh grass and myrtle bushes on Chincoteague grow sparse at seasons, the ponies will swim straight to Assateague, another island nearby.  Water seems to hold no dread for them.

   Neither the ponies nor the wild cattle require any attention or feeding.  When the islander wants beef he kills a cow from the herd.  They are never rounded up.

   "Broncho busting" is certain to be a feature of the "pony penning" tomorrow.  The majority of the islanders are good horsemen and delight in giving exhibitions of their riding skill." **

   Before Pony Penning the CVFC and the owners of the various herds of ponies had to make a decision - how to get the ponies that were on Assateague, Wallops and Marsh Islands over to Chincoteague for the Penning and sale - and they wanted it to be something that would make Pony Penning an unforgettable event.  After much discussion, it was decided the ponies on Marsh and Wallops Islands would be barged over, as in the past few years.  But it was decided to swim the ponies from Assateague to Chincoteague, at the same spot it takes place today; but at that time the Assateague Channel was open water for half the distance it is today, making a short, but very exciting swim for the public viewing.

Navy airship USS Shenandoah attached to tender ship USS Patoka

   The day after Pony Penning, Friday, July 31st, The Baltimore Sun had this article on page 7:  "Big Airship Crowns Pony Day Of Chincoteague Islanders  -  Thousands See Annual Event, With Wild West Tinge.  Hardy Little Horses Bring Good Prices On Auction Block In Virginia.  -  (From a Staff Correspondent.)  -  Chincoteague Island, Va., July 30.  -  Even the airship Shenandoah came to Chincoteague for the pony penning, while 12,000 people this morning were watching pony racing, tub racing and greased-pig contests.

   The Shenandoah, flying at about 300 feet, passed over this little ocean town and a real thrill was given the visitors.

   Many had never seen the big ship before and they greeted her with cheers.

   Pony penning is the great day for Chincoteague.

   About 250 ponies were offered for sale.  Most of them handsome specimens.

   The first one sold went for $17.50.  He was a beautiful animal, the recognized Chincoteague-pony color.

   At noon the estimate of the number of visitors was 10,000.  Early this evening the crowd had reached 15,000 and they were still coming in.  This is the greatest number of people ever on the island.

   -  Many Offer "Alibis." -

   Most of the visitors offer an "alibi" that they brought their children to see the ponies.  The "alibi" is here in thousands.  The streets were almost impassable.  Nothing could be more like an Irish fete day than Chincoteague.

   The pony penning seems but an incident, the real show walking the streets.

   Chincoteague this afternoon had its first boat races.  A dozen workboats raced before 15,000 people and then eight speedboats from Virginia and Maryland contested.  Winners will be announced later.  Miss Crisfield was the Maryland entrant.  This boat was hauled across the country last night by a truck.

     -  Seek Fire Protection.  -

   The craft was a favorite and finished close to the lead.  Enough money was assured at the firemen's carnival held in conjunction with the pony penning to give the island adequate fire protection.  

   It was announced today that before next year's event it is hoped to have the Assateague Bay bridge ready and give to visitors of 1926 an opportunity for ocean bathing farther out into the ocean than any other resort.  Business men feel that this will insure the future of Chincoteague.  - W. McC. "

The proceeds from the First Firemen's Carnival allowed the CVFC

to make the purchase down-payment on this fire engine.

   The proceeds of fifteen ponies sold on Pony Penning Day were donated to the new Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, and with the money garnered from the first Firemen's Carnival, a little over $6,000, the CVFC was able to make the down payment on the new fire engine and equipment that was so badly needed.

   ***The Hearst News Organization filmed Pony Penning for its theatre newsreel in 1927, and the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce did so in 1928.  By 1935 five more newsreel makers had filmed Pony Penning, and these were being viewed in theatres around the world.***