(WBOC file photo)CHINCOTEAGUE, Va.- Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to turn out today for the 87th edition of the Chincoteague Pony Swim.
The 10-minute annual swim across the 200-yard Assateague Channel dates from the early 1920s. It was made famous by Marguerite Henry's 1947 novel "Misty of Chincoteague."
Each year ponies are auctioned to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which cares for the Virginia herd.
As in past years, the Coast Guard is assisting local firefighters in establishing a security zone for the pony swim, which generally takes place between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. They are advising boaters to give the ponies plenty of room.
Ponies that are not sold and those donated back to the fire department will roam free for another year on the national wildlife refuge on Assateague.
