The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art will host the 11th annual Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo at the museum. The fall air and beautiful grounds of the museum will set the stage for two days of excitement, anticipation, and socialization among collectors and carvers from throughout the Mid Atlantic. The Friday night pig roast is always a favorite for all who attend. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the museum's gift shop. For more information, call the museum at 410-742-4988, ext. 120.

On Friday and Saturday, the front parking lot will become a festive marketplace. Over forty vendors will participate in the buying, selling and trading of an eclectic mix of fine antique decoys, folk art, and collectible waterfowling and hunting items. The vendors are always eager to see what new gems will be brought to the buy, sell or trade. Visitors are encouraged to bring their decoys in for identification or appraisal. Incredible bargains can be found at the silent decoy auction. If you would like a vendor application, please click here.

The weekend will pay tribute to the old decoy while encouraging the carving of new ones through competition. The decoys entered by collectors into the "Old Birds" Antique Decoy Competition adorn the lobby of the museum. The Contemporary Antique Competition, also held in the lobby, challenges carvers try to emulate the appearance of old decoys. It is very interesting to compare the two competitions. This year, the contemporary carvers will be competing with mallards.

The backyard will be full of activities. Chesapeake Challenge participants will compete for prizes in the floating, shorebird, and woodpecker decoy divisions. There is a Youth competition in all divisions and they are the first to be judged. There will be carving demos and a duck head carving contest. This year, the participants will be carving a mallard hen head. There are also children's activities including a duck call contest.

The exhibit in the LaMay Gallery will be Decoys & Gunning Traditions of the New Jersey Shore. The Welcome Gallery will display modern decoys that both contrast and compliment the art and craftsmanship of the antiques. The contemporary carvers of the New Jersey whose artworks will be on display are Dave Rhodes, J.P. Hand, and Harry Shourds III.