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Illumination Night, is my favorite summer event and is coming up next Wednesday, Aug 19th. My original post on Illumination Night is one of the most popular on my blog so I decided to re-post it. If you’re on the Vineyard Aug 19th go and enjoy the festivities.
ILLUMINATION NIGHT is Wed, Aug 19th, 2009
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Illumination Night is held every year in the middle of August… this year it’s Wed Aug 19, 2009. If you are on MV you should not miss it, it’s an evening you won’t soon forget.
(2009 date for Illumination Night is Wed, Aug 19)
It all begins here at the Tabernacle in the Campground in Oak Bluffs.
The gingerbread cottages are decked out in Japanese lanterns, many have been passed down from generation to generation, many are even still lit with candles.
The evening begins with music by the Vineyard Haven Band accompanying a lively community sing. After the community sing is over all the lights in the Campground are turned off… a special person who has been already chosen lights the first lantern 
which is then walked up the aisle to the entrance to the Tabernacle and suddenly all the lanterns in the Campground come to life. The Campground is transformed into a magical fairyland delighting…
… kids of all ages. It has always been my favorite event of the summer and it never fails to transform me into a kid again.
A few years ago we decided to take the On Time ferry over to Chappaquiddick. In all the years of going to MV I’d never been to Chappy. It was time.
It was a beautifully clear day and we were looking forward to taking a tour out to Cape Poge lighthouse. When we got over to Chappaquiddick we piled into an all terrain open truck and off across the dunes we went.
Cape Poge Lighthouse is a 55 foot high wooden structure. There’s a staircase inside but to get out onto the observation area you have to climb up a wooden ladder and through a door in the ceiling. We were told many times by our guide to ‘watch our heads’… I was the first one up the ladder and I still can feel the bump on my head.
The view is amazing. You can see for miles in every direction.
Including down where my daughter and grandson were waiting. Being that I’m afraid of heights this was a big deal for me, but I’m glad I did it, the view was worth the slight tinges of terror I felt.
After our tour we headed to Mytoi Gardens. Mytoi is a botanical garden maintained by the Trustees of the Reservations.
We had a really nice time exploring a little of what Chappaquiddick has to offer.
Back on the On Time II, headed to Edgartown.
This sign in Oak Bluffs shows the miles between MV and Helsinki (3957 miles), Waterville, ME (248 miles), London (3283 miles), NYC (179 miles), and San Francisco (2730 miles) just to name a few places. These are the actual miles but I like to think that my blog can take you to MV in a matter of minutes… no traveling required, just click and enjoy and then actually visit MV. Each mile traveled is a step closer to the Vineyard experience.
Apparently I like the above picture because I used it a year ago in a post with information for getting to MV- click here to read that post.
In my opinion one of the best places to eat on MV is the Newes From America Pub located in the Kelley House in Edgartown.
The Newes From America is located on the bottom floor (basement) of the original Kelley House building which was built in 1742. The ceiling is criss-crossed with the original large and sturdy beams, the walls are thick brick and the atmosphere is like stepping back in time. The entrance is at street level, there are no steps or stairs.
The menu at the Newes is eclectic and enticing.
One of my favorites is the Smokin Musket Turkey sandwich on peasant bread with sage mayo and cranberry sauce. It’s like Thanksgiving on bread.
Their hamburger, in my opinion and that of my daughter, is that it’s one of the best on the Vineyard. The 1/2 pound burger is cooked to your perfection… add cheese or mushrooms and delight your tastebuds.
Roast Beef Au Jus… roast beef, swiss cheese on a pressed roll with sherry-onion jus.
Lobster Roll – you just can’t go to MV and not have one and the lobster roll at the Newes is grand. Tasty sweet lobster meat mixed with celery… served on a yummy roll…. my mouth is watering thinking about it.
The Caesar salad is a winner too… crisp greens, delicious dressing, lightly toasted croutons and chicken if you choose to add it.
Don’t forget clam chowder. Like lobster rolls, you shouldn’t visit MV without having clam chowder. The chowder at the Newes is always popular. To be honest though I haven’t personally had it in awhile due to food allergies, however, my family members like it and that’s a good recommendation.
Fries… you’ve never had fries served like the Newes serves them… in a brown paper bag !! Certainly a different presentation and one that somehow adds flavor and fun to a food everyone loves and pretty much doesn’t give much thought to. You’ll love them.
I’ve eaten in the Newes and I’ve also gotten take-out from the Newes. The service in the pub is always friendly and timely. The only problem I ever had was with a take-out order… the mistake wasn’t noticed until we’d driven back to our hotel. I called the Newes and they gladly took care of the problem immediately.
I haven’t touched upon the selection of beers at the Newes because well, I don’t know that much about them. One of the interesting touches at the Newes is that for every beer you order you receive a ‘wooden nickel’. Many people pool their wooden nickels to reach the 1000 that it takes to get your name on a brass plaque on one of the bar stools.
While you’re waiting for your food to be served try taking the trivia test on the back of the menu !!! If you don’t know the answers that’s okay… you’ll learn some intersting facts about MV when you look at the answers. For instance, is it true that someone tried to throw former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara over board off the ferry Islander in the 1970’s !!!!
The prices are low, the food is good, it’s family friendly (kids love the bag of fries)… it’s definitely worth a trip to the Newes From America while you’re on MV… once you go you’ll go back again and again.
To find out more about the Newes From America and its history, check out this article from the MV Times.
Ah, July, the crazy, hazy days of summer and Martha’s Vineyard is brimming with things to do. Check out these happy, crazy statues at the Field Gallery in W Tisbury.
Chamber of Commerce calendar for July.
The Fourth of July is the biggest day of the month and there will be lots of special events celebrating our country’s 232nd birthday. Among them are…
*July 4th barbecue at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown
Martha’s Vineyard is a great place for a family vacation.
Unlike big crowded theme parks, a trip to the Vineyard is a more laid back kind of vacation.
Being an Island the main attraction is the beach. The best kid friendly one is State Beach on the eastern side of MV between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The water is mostly shallow and very calm. The beach is great for finding shells and stones and sometimes an elusive piece of sea glass.
Here at Aquinnah (Gay Head) on the western side of MV lying beneath the colorful clay cliffs, the beach is rougher and dotted with large and interesting rocks.
Bicycling is a terrific way to explore the Island. One of the prettiest bicycle paths is right along State Beach between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown… the Atlantic Ocean is on one side and Sengekontacket Pond on the other.
Along the way look for an Osprey’s nest.
Try miniature golf at Island Cove Mini Golf on State Rd just outside of Vineyard Haven, and also try their rock climbing wall.
Some other things to do on MV are. Nature walks and children’s programs at Felix Neck. Watch glass being blown at the Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks. Go ice skating at the MV Arena. Try horseback riding. Tour the lobster hatchery in Oak Bluffs. Spend a few hours at Beadniks in Vineyard Haven creating a one of a kind piece of jewelry.
No matter what your age you’ll want to ride on the Flying Horses.
The Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs are America’s oldest platform carousel dating back to 1884. They are listed on the National Register of Historical Places and belong to the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust. Take a ride on one of these beautifully restored horses rain or shine.
And rain does happen, so what do you do with kids to keep them happy.
Besides the Flying Horses and bookstores there’s always the movies. There are several theatres on MV.. the one pictured here is in Vineyard Haven… Oak Bluffs has two theatres and Edgartown does also.
Shopping is always fun for a little while. Try out Riley’s Reads and the Toy Box both here in Vineyard Haven.
If you take a jaunt over to the smaller island of Chappaquiddick, which is a three minute ferry ride from Edgartown, take time to stroll through Mytoi, the beautiful and peaceful Japanese garden. Also take a guided tour out to Cape Poge lighthouse.
If you’re on MV in the middle of August you can visit the Agricultural Fair It’s amazing to see what the Vineyarders have created… from quilts and homemade jams and jellies to raising livestock. There’s something for everyone, lots of good food, rides to go on, sheep shearing and interesting contests like skillet tossing… something I’ve been tempted to do in my kitchen at times.
So run, play, shop, go swimming and biking, ride on a flying horse or a real one, visit a farm or spend a week as a deck hand on a kids cruise on the Shenandoah or Alabama tall ships. Enjoy all that Martha’s Vineyard has to offer.
As for where to stay… my personal recommendations are. The Island Inn which is about a half mile outside Oak Bluffs on the road to Edgartown. Each unit, no matter the size has a kitchenette which is always great when traveling with kids. They have a playground and large lawns for romping and a nice pool.
The Harborside Inn in Edgartown is nice also. Each room has a mini fridge tucked away in the closet. They have two pools. Also in Edgartown are the Edgartown Lodge and Edgartown Commons.
Edgartown was the Island’s first settlement in 1642. Originally called Great Harbour it was a world center for the whaling trade.
Many whaling captains built their homes in Edgartown, many of them today are private homes or beautiful bed and breakfasts.
One of the most beautiful is the Capt Daniel Fisher house, built in 1840, now the home of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.
The Old Whaling Church, called that because it was built with whaling money in 1843, is an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture.
It is used as a performing arts center and one of the highlights of the year is the Christmas Minnesingers concert during the Christmas in Edgartown weekend.
The Federated Church is the Island’s oldest congregation, it was established in 1642. This structure was built in 1828.
The oldest known house on Martha’s Vineyard is the Vincent House now located behind the Whaling Church. It was moved there from its original site The Great Plain area outside Edgartown on the South Shore.
Memorial Wharf with observation deck on the top allows a stunning view of Chappaquiddick and the Edgartown harbor.
Old Sculpin Gallery and hand sculpted Whale’s Tail are across from Memorial Wharf.
Edgartown is charming and elegant.
Walk down the street early on a quiet morning or pull up a chair by the harbor. Edgartown has it all… beautiful places to stay, top notch restaurants, charming shops and art galleries to delight your senses.
Illumination Night is held every year in the middle of August… this year it’s Wed Aug 19, 2009. If you are on MV you should not miss it, it’s an evening you won’t soon forget.
(2009 date for Illumination Night is Wed, Aug 19)
It all begins here at the Tabernacle in the Campground in Oak Bluffs.
The gingerbread cottages are decked out in Japanese lanterns, many have been passed down from generation to generation, many are even still lit with candles.
The evening begins with music by the Vineyard Haven Band accompanying a lively community sing. After the community sing is over all the lights in the Campground are turned off… a special person who has been already chosen lights the first lantern which is then walked up the aisle to the entrance to the Tabernacle and suddenly all the lanterns in the Campground come to life. The Campground is transformed into a magical fairyland delighting…
… kids of all ages. It has always been my favorite event of the summer and it never fails to transform me into a kid again.
Of course there’s a vineyard on the Vineyard. In 1971 Chicama Vineyards, founded by Catherine and George Mathiesen became the first bonded winery in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The winery is located a little outside of Vineyard Haven on State Road. The road to get there is a little… um, bumpy but well worth the trip. From Memorial Day to Columbus day there are daily tours available, the rest of the year when there are no tours you can still visit their tasting room and shops. It’s always best to check their website for times and days they’re open. Individual tours are available but for groups of 10 or more reservations are required.
Besides their selections of red and white wines they also carry speciality foods condiments like wine vinegars, mustards, chutneys, salad dressings and flavored oils, as well as jams and ice cream sauces. They also have beautiful gift boxes and baskets.
Having chosen your wine you might want to take a look at their accessories such as the Bootleggers Corkscrew, the oil lamps and beautiful wine glasses.
You’re pretty much all set now to drive to Menemsha and toast the sunset.
*****Chicama Vineyards has closed since this post was written.
No matter when you go to MV you need ferry reservations if you’re taking your car. You need tickets for your car and yourself as well as any passengers in the car. If you’re a walk on passenger then all you need are tickets, no reservations. Since the Steamship Authority (known as the SSA) is the only ferry service that accommodates cars that’s the focus of this entry.
The above reservation brochure can be obtained by mail or at the ferry terminals. It’s pretty easy to fill out your dates and times and get your tickets by sending in your requests. Or you can phone for them (508-477-8600). For quicker gratification you can go online.
opening page
reservations
schedule
pick your dates & times
Then just click to see if they’re available and order your tickets.
Pictured here is the ferry “Martha’s Vineyard” waiting to take you away to the joys and fun that is the Island of Martha’s Vineyard.
