196. Possible Dreams Auction
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-7900
Description: This Aug event at the Harborside Inn gardens is a fund-raiser that was hosted by a Vineyard legend, the late Art Buchwald, for 29 years. Although Buchwald died in Jan 2007, the auction he reigned over lives on. Donations are raised for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services by auctioning off experiences like cocktails with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Anything is possible, so bring your checkbook.
197. Chilmark Road Race
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 645-9484, (508) 645-2100
Description: This 5K road race takes place in mid-Aug. It benefits the Chilmark Community Center. The race starts at 10:30 a.m.
198. Agricultural Fair
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-9549
Description: This old-fashioned country fair is anchored by an old dairy barn where you’ll find agricultural exhibits featuring fruits and vegetables, and arts and crafts—all judged. In the livestock barn different farm critters are judged daily throughout the four days. The fair takes place the third week in Aug on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun. Admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors and children 5 to 12 years old. Rides and food cost extra, but the dog and horse show, ox pull, and music do not. The fair prompted Bonnie Raitt to write Stayed Too Long at the Fair. (She probably had too much cotton candy.) The Agricultural Fair is sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society.
199. Fireworks At Ocean Park By The Sea
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This traditional end-of-summer fireworks show takes place the third weekend of Aug. The event is free; bring along your own lawn chairs and blankets. Sponsored by the Oak Bluffs Firemen’s Civic Association.
200. Illumination Night
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-0525
Description: Tradition abounds as each of the gingerbread houses of Oak Bluffs’ old Methodist campground twinkles with Japanese lanterns and candles as they have each year for the past century. Illumination Night marks the end of yet another summer season and is a free event.
201. Vineyard Artisans Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-8989
Description: Local artists display their work amidst West Tisbury’s country setting. Sounds like a fun afternoon to us. It all takes place at the Agricultural Hall the first weekend in Sept from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is free.
202. Dukes County Savings Bank Golf Classic
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 696-0785
Description: The Vineyard golf course is the site of this annual tournament. It is held in mid-Sept to benefit the Vineyard Nursing Association.
203. Tivoli Day Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Tivoli is a city in Italy, just northeast of Rome. Closer to home, the Tivoli used to be the old dance hall in Oak Bluffs and is now a festival of music, arts, crafts, and food held from noon to sundown on Circuit Avenue. Admission is free to the event that usually falls on the second Sat after Labor Day.
204. Martha’S Vineyard Striped Bass And Bluefish Derby
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This fishing tournament is a monthlong competition with more than $100,000 worth of prizes for those who catch the largest bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore. Running from mid-Sept to mid-Oct, there are daily, weekly, and grand prizes awarded.The weigh station is at the Edgartown Junior Yacht Club, although Derby Headquarters can be reached by writing 1A Dock Street, Edgartown, MA 02539.
205. Columbus Day 5K Road Race
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-7887
Description: The air is a little cooler for this 5K race every year the Sunday before Columbus Day. The event usually draws a good field of runners and an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers.
206. Happy Haunting Weekend
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 627-4711
Description: Ghosts and goblins and a devilishly good time come together in this traditional Halloween weekend. There is a pumpkin-carving contest, face painting, and trick or treating at participating stores.
207. Vineyard Artisans Holiday Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-8989
Description: This annual holiday festival is held on Thanksgiving weekend. Local artists display their work amidst West Tisbury’s country setting (a reprise of the August show). This festival takes place at the Agricultural Hall, and admission is free.
208. Tisbury’S Come Home For The Holidays
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-0085
Description: From Thanksgiving through the First Night Celebration, the town of Tisbury holds a variety of events. There are horse-and-buggy rides, chowder festivals, and performances at the Vineyard Playhouse. For a listing of all events, check the calendar section of either the Vineyard Gazette or Martha’s Vineyard Times, or call the chamber of commerce at the above number. Most of the events are free, except for the performances.
209. Annual Great Chowder Contest
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-0085
Description: There’s nothing like good “chow-dah” to keep you warm on a brisk Dec day. Your taste buds will be dancing as you sample the many delicious chowders made by area restaurants competing for the coveted title of “Best Chow-da on the Island.” Held at the mini-park on Main Street, the event raises money for the Red Stocking Fund, a charity that buys gifts for families in need.
210. Christmas In Edgartown
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 693-0085
Description: This old-fashioned Christmas celebration, full of fun and festivities, is held over three days, typically on the second weekend of the month. There are trolley tours, festival of lights tours, church Christmas fairs, horse-and-buggy rides, musical events, and holiday concerts at the Old Whaling Church. There’s a Christmas parade and of course all the shops are open for business to cater to all your Christmas shopping needs. Many offer free eggnog and tea to get you warm and toasty as you walk the brick sidewalks of the perfect Christmas village.Many of the inns and hotels offer special rates for the weekend. Call ahead for reservations.