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.

Schedule of Events:

April 25, 2025

7:00 am - 9:00 am: Wildfowl Competition Registration
9:30 am: Judging - World Divisions

- 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

10:00 am: Judging - Advanced, Intermediate, Novice Divisions

- Decorative Life-size Floating Waterfowl
- Decorative Life-size Wildfowl
- Interpretive Wood Sculpture
- Decorative Miniature Wildfowl

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

- Photo Studio with Alan Wycheck
- Kids' Corner - Featured kids' art activities.  Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Carving Demonstrations

11:00 am: Judging - World Division

- Decorative Life-size Waterfowl Pair
- World Single Gunner Decoy (When Shootin' Rig is done)
- Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges

Judging - Masters Divisions
- Decorative Life-size Wildfowl
- Decorative Miniature Wildfowl
- Interpretive Wood Sculpture

12:00 pm: Judging- Masters Division
- Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl

1:00 pm: Judging - Lem and Steve Ward Competition

- Single Gunner - Assawoman Bay'
- Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges

1:30 pm: Judging - Advanced Decorative Miniature
2:00 pm: Judging - Sculpture Other Than Wood
4:30 pm: Judging - Intermediate, Novice Divisions - Best in Show
5:30 pm: Living Legends Awards and Dinner

April 26, 2025

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

- Kid's Corner
- Carving Demonstrations

9:00 am: Judging - Lem and Steve Ward Divisions

- Contemporary Antique
- Contemporary Decoys
- Shorebird Decoy
- Decorative Smoothie Waterfowl and Champion

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Photo Studio with Alan Wycheck
10:00 am: Judging - Lem and Steve Ward Divisions

- Gunning Pair
- Gunning Pair Champion (after GP)
- Note: Judging times on the Bay may be changed at the discretion of the judges

11:00 am: Judging - Lem and Steve Ward Divisions:

- Decorative Smoothie Shorebirds and Wading Birds
- Champagne Division
- Youth Competition
- Youth Gunning Pairs - Tanks (Bay if Gunning Pairs are done)

1:00 pm: Champagne Waterfowl Silent Auction starts (goes until noon Sunday)
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Around the Worlds Mixer -AB Hall - Cash Bar and Hors d'oeuvres

April 27, 2025

08:00 am - 10:00 am: Carvers and guest (with a badge) special photo session - A/B Hall
10:00 am - 02:00 pm

- Carving Demonstrations
- Kid's Corner
- Champagne Waterfowl Silent Auction continues until noon

12:00 pm: Awards Presentations

- Living Legends
- Special Awards
- People's Choice
- Youth
- Sculpture
- Divisions: Lem and Steve, Novice, Intermediate, Advance
- Special Memorial Awards
- Masters
- Worlds

3:00 pm: Carving Check Out

Date:
April 25 - 27, 2025

Hours:
Friday, April 25, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 26, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 27, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location:
Roland E. Powell Convention Center,
4001 Coastal Highway,
Ocean City, MD 21842

Click here for more information