whose organization receives town funding for global destination marketing. “A lot of times the chamber focuses on the shoulder seasons with large events like the Seafood Festival and the Oyster Festival to encourage that shoulder season visitation to bolster those quieter times of the year.” The calendar strategically spaces major draws throughout the year. Easter brings the Decoy and Art Festival, featuring carvers from across the country. May’s Seafood Festival attracts 3,000 visitors celebrating the island’s maritime heritage. October’s Oyster Festival showcases Chincoteague Salt oysters, recognized as their own distinct class. December features a Christmas parade that strengthens community bonds during the quiet season. “The Oyster Festival showcases Chincoteague Salt oysters, which we are very well known for,” Moore emphasizes.“That too brings in about 3,000 people.” Beyond chamber events, nonprofits organize music in the park, movies, and farmers’ markets, creating what Moore describes as continuous programming “that helps fill in the gaps when folks are looking for something different to do other than going to the beach and looking at ponies.” Current marketing efforts include a USA Today grant focusing on fall tourism. The proximity to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility adds another perspective, with rocket launches creating tourism surges. “We always try to have something on the calendar for folks to enjoy while they’re here to give them that full experience,” Moore notes, acknowledging that sustaining year-round appeal requires constant innovation in a market where visitor expectations continuously evolve. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES The mathematics of island prosperity creates an unforgiving equation. With 3,500 homes squeezed onto seven square miles and median prices soaring from $95,900 to $349,461 since 2000, Chincoteague exemplifies the housing crisis plaguing successful coastal destinations nationwide. 24 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
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