Is It August Already?

by Vera Thornton

Am I the only one that feels like the summer is flying by? I still need a lot more beach time and barbeques, so I’d better get moving.

August on the Vineyard really kicks into high gear, with three traditional summer events that signify the end of summer approaching. These of course are the Fireworks, the Ag Fair, and Illumination Night – the big three, and part of what always makes the third week in August the busiest of the summer on Martha’s Vineyard.

What: Illumination Night
When: August 2o at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Campground, Oak Bluffs

Illumination Night is always on a Wednesday. Started in 1869, this event draws throngs of visitors and locals to the Campground in Oak Bluffs, where the evening begins with a community sing-along. All those quaint gingerbread houses that circle the Tabernacle are strung with paper lanterns, which are simultaneously lit at nightfall – it looks like fairyland! Homeowners sit on their porches greeting those who stroll by, gracious and eager to chat. The soft glow of twinkling lights and the warm camaraderie of the Cottagers create a magical atmosphere, and the whole scene is like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.


What: Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair
When: August 21 – 24: Thursday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: The New Agricultural Hall, Panhandle Road, West Tisbury

The Agricultural Fair is an old-fashioned country fair where blue ribbons are awarded for livestock, pies, giant vegetables, art work, crafts, and just about anything you can think of. My favorite event is the Skillet Toss, a women-only event, although the pig races are a close second. Believe me, you want to stay on the good side of a woman who can throw a cast-iron skillet 55 feet! Carnival rides, games, fiddlers’ contests, amusements, and of course, lots of food – all make for a memorable summer event every year. This will be the 147th annual Fair, a not-to-be-missed event.


What: The Oak Bluffs Fireworks
When: August 22 at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs

This is a display worthy of July Fourth, and there’s always a debate on the island about which fireworks show was the better one: Edgartown on the Fourth of July or Oak Bluffs in August. It must be said that weather plays a huge part in the presentation. This year’s Fourth was pretty cloudy and obscured a lot of the show, so we may have a clear winner this year! This is the main fund-raiser for the Oak Bluffs Civic Association, although there is no charge for watching. Funds are raised through the sale of T-shirts, collection buckets, and parking fees.

For charming (and affordable) accomodations in the town of Oak Bluffs, try the Madison Inn or the Narragansett House, both excellent. Or go up-island and check out the countryside - the Inn at Blueberry Hill is a luxury destination in the more pastoral part of the island.


Photo credits:
Photo #1 & #2 - Courtesy of the Vineyard Gazette
Photo #3 - Courtesy of Tim Johnson