For more than five decades, the Waterfowl Festival has drawn artists, collectors, conservationists and more from across the country to Easton, Maryland, for one of the Eastern Shore’s most popular events of the year. The 55th annual Waterfowl Festivalwill expand upon on long-standing traditions with the addition of new experiences curated to enhance engagement, accessibility and relevance to attendees of all ages. This year’s event takes place November 13 through 15 in various locations throughout Easton.
Paul Rhymer, Not Fade Away
Central to the event is the art component, which, in recognition of the landmark anniversary, will showcase 55 juried artists whose work is representative of the breadth and diversity of contemporary wildlife and sporting art. Featured artists are acclaimed sculptor Paul Rhymer, graphite artist Ray Brown and carver Randy Conner. Other nationally recognized artists include Nancy Tankersley, Eric Tardif, Matthew Hillier, Jill Basham, Walter Matia and more.
“From the very beginning of the festival we knew that if people could emotionally connect with the art of the wild around them—flora, fauna, open spaces—they would strive to protect it,” says executive director Deena Kilmon. Since its founding in 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has donated $6 million in art sales to conservation and education efforts. They have since established a scholarship program for the event’s student volunteers.
In addition to the juried artists whose work will be on display in the historic Tidewater Inn, the festival will introduce a fine artisan pavilion called the Marshland Mercantile. Waterfowl Festival headquarters will also be home to the Sporting Heritage Pavilion where fine collectibles, including artworks, firearms, decoys and more will be on offer.
An artist gives a live painting demonstration at the 2025 Waterfowl Festival. Photo by Liam Swadley.
Another new addition is the “Voices of the Chesapeake” educational lecture series at historic Avalon Theatre, featuring historical reenactments, decoy carving demonstrations and goose calling lessons from local wildlife rescue organizations.
Fret not, crowd favorites like the Talbot Retriever Club demonstrations, DockDogs, live music and food vendors serving regional delicacies will be back once again for this milestone year.
“This event is so much more than a festival. It is an entire community coming together to not only celebrate the art but to really and authentically welcome people to our little corner of the world,” says an enthusiastic Kilmon. “The entire town gets involved, including the local public schools…We truly remind ourselves each year how beautiful, precious and fantastic the Eastern Shore is…and the Waterfowl Festival was one of the first in the nation with this concept.”
The 55th annual Waterfowl Festival kicks off with a premiere night party on Thursday, November 12. For tickets, schedules and artist information visit waterfowlfestival.org. —
55th Annual Waterfowl Festival
November 13-15, 2026
Easton, MD
(410) 822-4567
www.waterfowlfestival.org
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