Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition
54th Ward World Championship
Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival
Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Ocean City, MD
April 25-27, 2025
Hours:
Thursday, Competitor Registration 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, Competitor Registration 7 a.m.-9 a. 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.
The Living Legend Dinner is held at the Grand Hotel!
Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Artist After Hours (AB Hall) 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. (Show tickets or badges required)
Enjoy a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, beautiful wildfowl art, music, and World Division Ribbon Presentation.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Award ceremony (AB Hall) Noon
Award Checks will be available in AB Hall during and after the Award ceremony.
Admission:
Multi-Day Pass: $10
Seniors & Students – $8
Children under 12 free (with adult)
Living Legends Dinner Tickets- TBD
Benefit Auction Preview
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. #OCMDgoesWILDfowl
- 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 sponsored by TidalHealth 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. Driving an electric car? Here are places you can charge your car while in Ocean City, Maryland.
