Event Schedule - Ward World Championship

Thank you to everyone who attended the Ward World Championships 2026!

EVENTS THAT WERE PART OF THE 2026 EVENT;

Monday – Thursday

The Educational Conference offers 1 to 3 day carving classes from master carvers.
Smoker Brothers Class: Carving and painting with mixed media in the Ward Brothers' style (pre-registration required)

Thursday 4/23

11:00 AM- 8:00 PM - Convention Center Lobby
- Wildfowl Competition Registration at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
2:00 – 4:00
- Keynote: Pat Godin - An In-Depth Discussion on Select Pieces from New Book

Friday 4/24

Show Hours 10:00 to 5:00.

7:00 – 9:00
- Wildfowl Competition Registration - Downstairs lobby
9:30
- Judging – World Divisions - Ballroom
  - Decorative Life-size Wildfowl
  - Decorative Miniature Wildfowl
  - Interpretive Wood Sculpture
  - World Shootin’ Rig Division – Assawoman Bay
    - Note: Judging time on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges
9:30 – 11:00
- Workshop: Luke Costilow - Finishing a Cork Decoy
10:00
- Judging – Advanced, Intermediate, Novice Divisions
  - Decorative Life-size Floating Waterfowl - Ballroom
  - Decorative Life-size Wildfowl - Long Room
  - Interpretive Wood Sculpture - Long Room
  - Decorative Miniature Wildfowl - Long Room
10:00- 12:00
- Demo: Jack Revie - Carving
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
10:00 – 5:00
- Photo Studio with Alan Wycheck
- Art Corner – Featured art activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.- Dockside
- Carving Demonstrations - Dockside
11:00
- Judging – World Division - Ballroom
  - Decorative Life-size Waterfowl Pair
  - World Single Gunner Decoy (When Shootin’ Rig is done) - Assawoman Bay
    - Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges
- Judging – Masters Divisions - Ballroom
  - Decorative Life-size Wildfowl
  - Decorative Miniature Wildfowl
  - Interpretive Wood Sculpture
- Judging- Masters Division - Ballroom
  - Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl
11:15 – 12:15
- Lecture: J. Marcos Salaverria - Sea Lore and Superstitions
Noon
- Flat Art
- Youth Art
1:00
- Judging – Lem & Steve Ward Competition
  - Single Gunner – Assawoman Bay*
    - *Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges
1:00 – 2:30
- Workshop: Tom Christie - Decoy Painting Techniques
1:00 – 2:30
- Demo: Jeff Rechin - Painting
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
1:30
- Judging – Fish
- Judging – Wooden Sculpture Other Than Waterfowl or Fish
2:00
- Judging – Sculpture Other Than Wood - Ballroom
- Judging – Feathers
- Judging – Fronds
2:15 - 3:15
- Workshop: Al Jordan - It’s Right In Front of You in Black and White
2:30
- Judging – Lem & Steve Single Gunner (**may start after lunch at clerk & judges choice**)
2:30
- Demo: Open Floor
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
3:00 – 5:00
- Kids Painting Workshop: Folk-style Owls (online registration required) - Dockside
3:30 – 4:30
- Lecture: Aaron Buffardi - Carving Economics
5:30
- Living Legends Award and mixer (Ballroom: Badge or VIP Ticket required)

Saturday 4/25

Show Hours 9:00 to 5:00.

9:00 – 5:00 - Dockside
- Art Corner – Featured art activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Carving Demonstrations
9:00
- Judging – Lem & Steve Ward Divisions
  - Contemporary Antique - Long Room
  - Contemporary Decoys & Champion - Ballroom
  - Shorebird Decoy - Long Room
  - Decorative Smoothie Waterfowl & Champion - Long Room
- Judging – Bench Divisions - Long Room
9:30 – 10:30
- Lecture: Tommy Stewart - Delving into Interpretive Wood Sculpture
10:00
- Judging – Lem & Steve Ward Divisions on the bay
  - Gunning Pair (may start as early as 9 am if judges are ready)
  - Gunning Pair Champion (after GP)
    - *Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges
10:00 – 12:00
- Demo: John Alexander - Feather Texturing
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
10:00 – 5:00
- Photo Studio with Alan Wycheck
11:15 – 11:45
- Lecture: Rod Benjamin - TBD - Antique Decoys/Collecting
11:00
- Judging – Lem & Steve Ward Divisions:
  - Decorative Smoothie Shorebirds & Wading Birds - Longroom
  - Champagne Divisions - Ballroom
  - Youth Competition - Long Room
  - Youth Gunning Pairs – Tanks
1:00
- Champagne Waterfowl Silent Auction starts (goes until noon Sunday) - Ballroom
1:00 – 2:00
- Lecture: Tom Matus - Airbrushing Techniques
1:00 – 2:30
- Demo: Janet Baraby and Mary Kline - Carving
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
1:00 – 4:00
- Class: Beginner Carving Class with Ross Smoker
  - Sign up required
2:15: 3:15
- Lecture/Workshop: Peter Palumbo - Critiquing
2:30
- Demo: Open Floor
  - Dockside
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
3:00 – 5:00
- Kids Painting Workshop: Duck Head Magnets (online registration required) - Dockside
3:30 -4:30
- Panel: Pat Godin, Josh Guge, Tom Christie - Preparation Before Carving
5:00 – 7:00
- Around the Worlds Mixer - Ballroom
  - Badge or VIP pass required
  - Cash Bar and Hors d’oeuvres
  - World Division Winners Announced (6:00)

Sunday, 4/26

Show Hours 10:00 to 3:00

8:00 – 10:00
- Carvers and guest (with a badge) early admission
10:00 – 2:00
- Carving Demonstrations- Dockside
- Art Corner – Featured art activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. - Dockside
- **Champagne Waterfowl Silent Auction continues until noon - Ballroom
10:00 – 11:30
- Workshop: Dick Snyder - Carving a Miniature Bird
- Demo
  - Please note demo times are subject to change
  - Dockside
12:00
- Awards Presentations - Performing Arts Center
  - Living Legends
  - Special Awards
  - People’s Choice
  - Youth
  - Sculpture
  - Divisions: Lem & Steve, Novice, Intermediate, Advance
  - Special Memorial Awards
  - Masters
  - Worlds
3:00
- Carving Check Out
  - Remember do not pack your birds until after you check out!
  - Have your check out paper ready