Waterfowl Festival Continues To Grow

Waterfowl Festival Continues To Grow The Maryland Waterfowl Festival is a three-day celebration held every fall in Easton, Md., to honor the culture of the Eastern Shore. “Around 1970, a group of Eastern Shore sportsmen and women conceived an event that would ultimately grow into a regional tradition spanning generations—the Waterfowl Festival,” says Deena Kilmon, Executive Director of the Waterfowl Festival. “These founders—Dr. Harry Walsh, Bill Perry and Susie Lipscomb—have grown a small group of volunteers to over 1,000, many of whom have volunteered for decades. We now have families in their fourth generation of volunteers.”  The founders envisioned an event celebrating Eastern Shore heritage while raising funds to protect the wildlife habitat that supports it. The first Waterfowl Festival was staged in 1971, timed to coincide with the opening of goose hunting season. “The first press release about the event notes that the organizers were trying to ‘capture the true romance, the excitement engendered by the area’s wild birds and the hunting sport they create,’” Kilmon says. “Just last year, over 25,000 people attended the festival.” Since its founding, the festival has raised more than $6 million for conservation and education. Last year, youth volunteers received a combined $24,000 in academic scholarships. The festival features more than a dozen venues and a wide range of activities. These include art pavilions showcasing the region’s finest wildlife artists and decoy carvers, with paintings, sculptures, carvings and photography. Dog lovers can enjoy dock dog competitions, field trial demonstrations and water retriever exhibitions. “For kids, there’s the Quackin’ trail, a mix of arts, crafts and fun activities, including a fishing derby, duck calling clinic, and a decoy painting demonstration,” Kilmon says. “The World Live Goose Calling Contest, a crowd pleaser since 1976, is a well-respected competition known across the nation.” There’s also a sportsman’s pavilion with outdoor vendors, including apparel, boats, equipment and more. Meander downtown for tasting pavilions, live music, a food truck rodeo, and beer wetlands. New for 2025 is an immersive art experience featuring dozens of artists, artisans, and galleries across four blocks of Harrison Street. First-time visitors might be overwhelmed with options, so Kilman suggests visiting the festival website or stopping by the information booth for complete schedules. “Expect to spend two days at the festival,” she says. “You won’t want to miss a thing.” Festival tickets cost just $25 for the three days, and children ten and under are free with a paid adult. Transportation is simple, with complimentary bus transportation between venues and free parking at Easton Public School facilities. “The 2025 dates are November 14-16,” says Kilmon. “Be sure to follow updates on Facebook and Instagram.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Deena Kilmon, Executive Director, Waterfowl Festival Inc. (dkilmon@waterfowlfestival.org; www.waterfowlfestival.org).

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