![Watching judging on the bay at the 2025 Ward World Championship [Photo by Alan Wycheck]](/app/uploads/2023/09/DSC_6116-125x125.jpg)
55th Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival Roland E. Powell Convention Center Ocean City, MD April 24-26, 2026 FLY HIGH with Us and have a Wildfowl Weekend! We’re spreading our wings in a fresh new layout at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in beautiful Ocean City, MD! Soar to new heights… Read more »
Visit the Waterfowl Festival’s website for a full listing of events, hours, and tickets! We will be joining them with a Sam Dyke Memorial “Old Bird” Antique Decoy Contest in the Artifacts Exhibit, as well as Redhead Silhouettes and Soap Carving for the kids. (The location for the silhouettes and soap carving TBD; pre-registration for… Read more »
September 27, 2025, in Crisfield, MD, during the Crisfield Heritage Festival The Chesapeake Challenge is a decades-old tradition that includes competition in several categories of decoy making. Decoys can be mailed in or registered that morning, starting at 8 AM. The Contemporary Antique bird is a BRANT for 2025 and a BLACK DUCK for 2026…. Read more »
Join Living Legend Ross Smoker to carve a miniature bird. This is a perfect class for someone who is just getting into carving or as a gift for someone who wants to get into carving. The class will be on Saturday (4/26/25) afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and will take place at the… Read more »
**CLASS IS SOLD OUT** —– E-mail gvieira@wardfdn.org to be added to the wait list. Glass eyes do not need to be your only option in the creative process, join Tommy Stewart and learn how to use a high speed grinder to carve out the eyes and bill of a lesser yellowlegs bust. You will come… Read more »
Experience the art and heritage of decoy carving with Rich & Ross Smoker. In 2025, join this dynamic duo as they guide students in carving and painting a Lem & Steve Ward decorative 1932 canvasback hen at the Grand Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. Using hand and/or power tools along various mediums, the final look… Read more »