Week of Summer Highlights

Grand Illumination is a summer highlight on Martha’s Vineyard.  This annual tradition has been happening in the Campground for over a century.  On the third Wednesday in August, cottages are decorated with Chinese lanterns.  Thousands of people descend upon the Campground for the event.  There is the traditional Wednesday night Community Sing, including the Vineyard Haven band.  At the end of the singing, a ceremonial lantern is lit and then poof, all 315 cottages light their cottages.  Visitors walk through the Campground admiring the decorations.  Many of the lanterns are old and date back to the late 1800’s.  Some folks still light with candles!!

Liz and Grace decorating

This year, our daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Grace, were here for the event.  They helped us decorate the cottage with lanterns.  This means climbing all over the cottage to string the lights and lanterns.  Grace became our “monkey” climber!  As she moved around the porch, perched on the rail, we handed her lights and lanterns.  After a little adjusting, the cottage was ready!

Another highlight of the summer is the Agricultural Fair in West Tisbury.  While Barry was at his Board meeting, Liz, Grace and Wendy went to the fair.  We had a great time watching pig races, lumberjack competitions, view animals and crafts in the barns and indulging in fair food.

The final highlight of this special week was the traditional Fireworks in Oak Bluffs.  Year-in and year-out, they are the best fireworks we have ever seen!  Ask anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing them and they will agree.  What a spectacular end to a very special week

!