Grand Illumination

The third Wednesday in August is the highlight of the summer in the Campground: Grand Illumination. This summer it was on August 18th, 2010. We spent the day putting up over 40 Chinese lanterns, both upstairs and downstairs around the porches. We had help from Melissa, Jeff, Nancy and Kathy. The challenge was determining which lantern to place where, how to hang them and how to light them. We put a large Chinese umbrella on the pulpit porch upstairs too. We used Christmas lights on the lower porch and LED tea lights upstairs. The LED lights were not nearly strong enough.....rookie mistake.

We sat on the porch and enjoyed the Community Sing which included music from the Vineyard Haven Community Band which has been in existance since 1868. At the appointed time (around 9:00 PM), the lanterns around the Tabernacle were lighted which signified the time to light ours. Our lanterns were lit and all other lights were extinguished. Unfortunately, it began to rain lightly. Thousands of people braved the weather and strolled around the campground enjoying the decorations. People stopped by Seas the Day and chatted with us, asking questions and expressing delight in the decorations and the tradition. Anthony Quittadamo, the previous owner, stopped by to say hello and visit the house.

Around 10:30, the fire engines made their rounds indicating it was time to shut down. We had to not only turn off our lights but take down all the lanterns. Nothing could be left up on the house! Most of our houseguests had either gone to sleep or were out getting donuts at Back Door Donuts. Despite the small crew, we were able to get everything down and put away before 11:00 PM. The rain ruined several smaller lanterns but all-in-all it was a great night. I must admit that I was nervous and inimidated about our first Illumination Night....there are high expectations for a cottage on the circle. It is great to have our first one under our belts and we look forward to next year.