The Waterfowl Festival returns to Easton, Maryland, November 13–15, 2026, marking its 55th anniversary with an expanded celebration of wildlife art, sporting traditions, conservation, and the cultural heritage of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
For more than five decades, the Waterfowl Festival has brought together artists, collectors, sportsmen and women, families, conservationists, and visitors from across the country in one of the Eastern Shore’s signature annual celebrations. The 55th Annual Festival builds on that legacy with new experiences designed to make the event more engaging, accessible, and relevant to audiences of all ages.
“Fifty-five years is an extraordinary milestone, but we are looking forward as much as we are looking back,” said Deena Kilmon, Executive Director of Waterfowl Festival, Inc. “Our goal is to honor the traditions that made this Festival special while creating new ways for people to experience art, conservation, sporting heritage, and the Chesapeake.”
A New Home for Eastern Shore Sporting Heritage
One of the most significant additions for 2026 is the opening of the Sporting Heritage Pavilion, housed in Easton’s historic 1927 armory now known as the Waterfowl Building. Attendees will enjoy an authentic Eastern Shore experience in the pavilion, which has recently been improved by the restoration of the roof and the opening of the historic stage which was walled off for over four decades.
The restored facility will serve as a year-round community resource and an important new destination for the Festival. Presented by Guyette & Deeter, the Center will feature the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling Artifacts Exhibit, opportunities to meet Federal Duck Stamp artists, Eastern Shore photography, antique and contemporary collectible firearms and decoys, working decoy carvers, collectibles dealers, a VIP Bar and gallery styled by Urban Country and other exhibits celebrating the region’s sporting traditions.
The restoration represents a major investment in preserving an important piece of Easton’s architectural and cultural history while creating a flexible space for future exhibitions, educational programs, community events, and arts programming.
Celebrating 55 Artists for 55 Years
In celebration of the anniversary, the Festival will showcase 55 juried artists, highlighting the extraordinary breadth and quality of contemporary wildlife and sporting art.
The Festival will also honor three Featured Artists for 2026:
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Ray Brown, graphite artist from California
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Randy Conner, carver from New York
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Paul Rhymer, sculptor from Maryland
Their work represents the diversity of artistic expression that has become a defining characteristic of the Waterfowl Festival.
New Experiences Throughout the Festival
Visitors will discover several new and expanded experiences throughout the 2026 Festival, including the Canvasback Courtyard, an expanded children’s Quackin’ trail, and additional opportunities to connect with artists, conservation organizations, and Eastern Shore traditions.
The Festival is also expanding its educational programming through “Voices of the Chesapeake,” a series of demonstrations, lectures, and presentations designed to connect visitors with the people, wildlife, traditions, and conservation efforts that define the Chesapeake region.
Family programming will receive special attention in 2026. Children 15 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult, while young people age 16 and older can volunteer with the Festival and receive a complimentary ticket.
Art, Conservation and Community
While art and outdoor traditions remain at the heart of the Waterfowl Festival, conservation continues to be its guiding purpose.
In 2025, the organization distributed $115,000 in conservation grants and scholarships, supporting projects and educational initiatives throughout the region. Since its founding, the Festival has used proceeds and partnerships to support wildlife conservation, environmental education, scholarships, and the preservation of Eastern Shore traditions. In 2026, the William Perry scholarship committee has additionally awarded $30,000 in post-secondary scholarships to its student volunteers. The committee is currently accepting applications for grants by invitation only for this year’s awards.
“The Festival is ultimately about much more than a three-day event,” Kilmon said. “It is about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to experience the Chesapeake, understand its wildlife and traditions, and become stewards of the place we call home.”
The Festival also remains a significant economic and cultural contributor to Easton and Talbot County, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from Maryland and across the United States.
A Tradition With a Future
The 55th Annual Waterfowl Festival invites longtime supporters and first-time visitors to experience a celebration that connects art, wildlife, conservation, history, and community.
From world-class wildlife art and sporting traditions to children’s activities, demonstrations, music, food, and the newly restored Sporting Heritage Pavilion, the 2026 Festival offers something for longtime collectors, outdoor enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in the unique character of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The 55th Annual Waterfowl Festival will take place November 13–15, 2026, in Easton, Maryland, with Premiere Night on November 12.
For tickets, schedules, artist information, and updates, visit waterfowlfestival.org.
About Waterfowl Festival, Inc.
Founded in 1971, Waterfowl Festival, Inc. is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of Chesapeake waterfowl and wildlife conservation. The organization promotes community, education, and awareness by celebrating Eastern Shore heritage, sporting traditions, and artistic expression. Through its annual Festival and year-round initiatives, Waterfowl Festival supports conservation, scholarships, arts and cultural programming, and the preservation of the region’s outdoor heritage.
