53rd Ward World Championship
Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival
Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Ocean City, MD
April 26-28, 2024
Hours:
Thursday, Competitor Registration ONLY 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Open to the Public Friday – Sunday
Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Living Legends Award Presentation and Dinner 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Award ceremony (AB Hall) Noon
Admission: Multi-Day Pass: $10
Seniors & Students – $8
Children under 12 free (with adult)
Living Legends Dinner Tickets- TBA
The World Championship is an international event where carvers, collectors, and visitors convene at the end of each April in Ocean City, MD. From highly decorative works of art to functional hunting decoys, about 1200 different wildfowl carvings representing more than 150 species from around the world can be viewed at the premiere, the most prestigious competition in the world. Competitors of all levels–from youth to world champions–compete against their peers for the chance to win a portion of nearly $60,000 in prize money, as well as other recognition including ribbons, medallions, plaques, and trophies. There are over 40 different divisions in which an artist can compete–decorative life-size and miniature wildfowl, floating waterfowl, interpretive, gunning decoys, contemporary antiques, and sculpture.
- See the World’s best wildfowl art! Check out this video from WBOC’s DelmarvaLife! And this video from PAC14!
- Attend seminars and classes by master carvers for artists of all skill levels.
- Shop from a wide variety of vendors for fine artwork, home decorators, art supplies, and more.
- Bring the children to Kid’s Corner to create fun make-and-take projects.
- Stroll the boardwalk of the convention center while watching artfully carved decoys floating on the bay.
With your multi-day event pass, there’s plenty to do at the Ward World Championship, all within a convenient walk or OC bus ride from your beach hotel.
Be a part of the event!
2023 Ward World Championship Guide
Become a Volunteer *form now available*
A huge thank you to our sponsors for their continued support of the Ward World Championship and the Ward Foundation!
If you have questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to donate to the Benefit Auction, please email kclattenburg@wardfdn.org.
Individual Sponsors
Jeff Bounds and Marg Bounds
Master Medallions in memory of their parents, Charles and Eleanor Bounds
Habbart Dean Memorial Fund
A. Danner Frazer Memorial awards for the Youth Division
Lew and Nancy Pearce
Champagne Waterfowl Division in memory of Nancy’s father, Gordon Diefenbach
Gary and Pam Stenger
Registration fees for YD and YG Divisions in Youth Competition
Josh and Laura Guge
Bob Guge Memorial Award for the Best Novice Songbird
Karl and Deb Yankey
General Ward World Championship Sponsors
Dr. Kent Kimmel and Dr. Ruth Carroll
Novice Division Sponsor
Jack Cox
Intermediate Division Sponsor
Supporting Organizations
Chincoteague Decoy Carvers and Artist Association
Benelli USA
Delmarva Decoy Collectors Association
Guyette and Deeter
MDI Wood Carvers Supply
Midshore Chapter of Delta Waterfowl
Ocean City Accommodations
Art League of Ocean City
Sharp Gas and Energy
General
Maryland Heritage Area Authority
Maryland State Arts Council
Maryland Folklife Network
National Endowment for the Arts
Worcester County Arts Council
Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council