<p>President Barack Obama will return to the Vineyard this summer, making his fourth trip to the Island during his presidency, the White House confirmed Friday.</p> <p>Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will travel to the Vineyard on August 10 and remain on Island until Aug. 18.</p>
President Barack Obama will return to Martha's Vineyard this summer, making his fourth trip to the Island during his presidency, the White House confirmed Friday.
Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to the Vineyard on Aug. 10 and remain on Island until Aug. 18., a White House official said. No public events have been scheduled during their stay.
Rumors of the president’s return to Martha's Vineyard have circulated on the Island for several months, but until Friday had not yet been confirmed. The president and his family vacationed on the Island in August of 2009, 2010 and 2011.
No details have been released about First Family’s accommodations for their 2013 trip.
Mr. Obama and his family previously rented Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark, a private estate overlooking Tisbury Great Pond. The gentlemen’s farm sold in late 2011 to famed architect Lord Norman Foster. At the time of the sale, the Gazette was told that the new property owners would not rent out the estate.
Peter Martell, owner of the Wesley Hotel in Oak Bluffs, said he has 70 rooms booked for Secret Service members and five reserved for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).
“We’ve never had a problem with these guys, they’re really good,” he said. “They’re respectful.”
Martha’s Vineyard Airport Manager Sean Flynn said he has not received confirmation from the White House about the president’s trip. But based on the family’s last visit, a 30 mile flight restriction will be put in place during his stay, he said. In the past Mr. Flynn has worked with the necessary agencies to coordinate a plan that allows planes to continue to fly in and out of the airport.
“We try to improve on it every time,” he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s visit is scheduled for one of the busiest weeks of the entire year on the Island. Grand Illumination Night at the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association will take place Aug. 14; the 152nd Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair is Aug. 15 though Aug. 18. and the Oak Bluffs fireworks show is scheduled for Aug. 16.
During past visits, people gathered at the airport with welcome signs and flags hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Obama. Crowds also gathered on the front porch of Alley’s General Store to watch the motorcade pass by and cheer on the president’s arrival.
Stores across the Vineyard put out the welcome mat with special memorabilia, including special ice cream flavors, Obamaritas at Sharky’s Cantina and presidential dog treats for the family pooch, Bo. Golfers hoped their tee time was scheduled around the same time of the president’s on the links of Farm Neck, Vineyard Golf Club or Mink Meadows, a favorite pastime of Mr. Obama’s.
But for the majority of their stays, the Obamas have kept to themselves and out of the public eye, taking to beach visits at private homes and bike rides in the state forest. Summer book shopping at Bunch of Grapes, fine dining at State Road and fried food at Nancy’s Snack Bar in Oak Bluffs also have been regular stops for the Obama family during previous visits.
For more photos of the president's 2009, 2010 and 2011 vacations to Martha's Vineyard, see our gallery: Past Presidential Trips: Obama Family Visits Martha's Vineyard.
Comments
I am thrilled.....hope they
Debbie Brown Vineyard HavenI am thrilled.....hope they have a great time !
If you are so thrilled, will
VeryAnnoyed TisburyIf you are so thrilled, will you pick up the vacation tab? As a taxpayer, I am really tired of him and his family vacationing on our dime! Bush went to his ranch in Crawford Texas not to Hawaii, Spain and other luxury resorts.
This President takes so many
Sarah Ft. LauderdaleThis President takes so many expensive vacations on the taxpayer's dime; what about creating JOBS instead of taking vacations, Mr President?
How many vacations do these
kim durba bergen cty,njHow many vacations do these ppl get? After all they hardly work at all ...spend more of taxpayers money while you complain and won't open white house tours. This dictator just keeps spending us into oblivion...
Dictator???? Please read more
Maria Vineyard havenDictator???? Please read more about what is a dictator!!!! Your comment need more respect !!
You need to get off Facebook,
VeryAnnoyed TisburyYou need to get off Facebook, Twitter and other social media sources. Maybe read online information that is factually so you can get informed. What do you think is happening in the county? Obama wants to be the world leader and rule his kingdom, monarchy. He wants to be KING!
How's that Koolaid taste?
JoshHow's that Koolaid taste?
Isn't it a great job?
Ralph EdgartownIsn't it a great job? Unfortunately you won't get it. Democratically elected president is not dictator, unless you've been living under a rock. You could've made sure that he didn't get this dangerous job (15 assassination attempts and 6 killed out of 44) in the latest election, but you failed. So now he gets to enjoy a vacation on our beloved island, deal with it!
Ralph you hit the nail on the
Linda D. Oak BluffsRalph, thank you, you hit the nail on the head. Often times the job of a public servant is a difficult, unpopular and thankless -particularly when you preside over such a divided nation that cannot seem to come together to settle its diferences. Think of brave Gabby Gifford for goodness sake!
I hope the First Family gets to enjoy their precious family time just as average Americans hope to do when their on vacation, that local storekeepers welcome the extra financial boost to the economy, and that all MV residents & visitors lay out the Island welcome mat of kindness to our nation's First Famly! Isn't that what sets MV apart?
These people are on a
Harold EdgartownThese people are on a perpetual vacation. i had hoped that Jimmy Carter would be the worst most inept President in my lifetime. This guy takes the cake. Children can't tour the White House because of 'The Evil Republicans' while he and his family continue to travel the world spending millions of taxpayers money. No President has worked less, golfed and vacationed more. Maybe they could go ruin someone else summer this year. Nantucket maybe ? Then he and Kerry could hide in the same place while avoiding the next world crisis.
I, for one, welcome the
Paul Doherty CT and Vineyard HavenI, for one, welcome the President and his family. I have been on Island the last 3 times that they have vacationed here, and they have always kept a low key profile, ever respectful of the rest of us who are on vacation. "Perpetual vacation"......are you serious!!! No presidents have taken more vacations than Ronald Reagan & George Bush. Obviously, your right wing agenda, led by the "do nothing, block and stall any bill at all costs Republican Congress", has has warped your mind. Sorry you have to swallow that bitter pill of having to share this beautiful Island with this great president. My suggestion is that you stay inside your house in Edgartown, keeping your
doors and windows locked tight during their visit, since it is so upsetting that you must share 'your" Island with this horrible, do nothing President, all at the taxpayer's expense. Yes, stay inside and get over yourself!!!
Couldn't have said it bette
SBLCouldn't have said it bette
I am consistently amazed at
Sara Crafts Oak BlufsI am consistently amazed at the short political memories of the Republicans. George Bush, the younger. That's all I've got to say, Harold. Compare his spending, his vacation days, the debt we entered into (post-Clinton), all of it. President Obama is not God, granted. But he works hard, against impossible (read Republican) odds who refuse to admit he ever won. Everyone is so busy running for office, garnering favors and money (on both sides of the aisle) that's it's incredible to me that any progress at all happens. Welcome, President Obama. I hope you manage to relax, have a good time, and - oh, yes, bring some relief to this humidity, will you? Thanks!
Shame on you! You are so out
Judy AquinnahShame on you! You are so out of touch!! By the way Bush was our worst President!!-for obvious reasons! Do you think you could deal with all the world problems as President? Get a grip!!
Thank you Paul D for putting
Kathleen M Washington DC-AquinnahThank you Paul D for putting it so very well. Some of the comments are so fraught with hate; it makes me sad. Bush was on an eternal vacation and his family OWNS several lovely spots from which to choose a vacation spot. Our president was not "to the manor born" and therefore has to rent just as I do.
I think this beautiful island should be proud that he and has lovely family have chosen it once again.
Kim
obporch obKim
Many presidents have vacationed on MV. This is no news. Stay in Jersey.
How quickly people forget!
farmer5 chilmarkHow quickly people forget!
George W. Bush spent more time in Crawford TX than he did in the White House. True, we didn't need him there since it was "Mission Accomplished" all the way and a photo op. Dick Cheney (ex-CEO of Haliburton) was happy to be his stand-in and surrogate. Isn't that what the VP is for when the President has to go cut brush on the ranch?
Are you a DUPE of the
beyond beliefAre you a DUPE of the REpellant REpublicans? It seems that you are simply regurgitating the ridiculous propaganda of the REpublican News Network (Fox News) and need to start thinking for yourself!
I am a Veteran. The best way to support the TROOPS is to stop going to war. Let's stop listening to the REpublican distractions, and try to save the lives of our soldiers. I like your spirit, but feel you are aiming at the wrong targets.
You are right. He is a
thatsitivehadenoughYou are right. He is a dictator, and he's in for a surprise as dictators are not usually voted out of office. I can smell it coming on now.
The MOON BATS welcome their
John Gault Oak BluffsThe MOON BATS welcome their leader.
Ugh!
Scott EdgartownUgh!
It's obvious from the
Caroline New YorkIt's obvious from the comments, Obama knows his audience of adoring MV residents will embrace his stay and defend his lousy administration to the end.
And the end is where this country will be when he's done changing the very fabric of our democracy. But hey libs, what difference does it make that Obama hides the Benghazi facts, profiles conservatives through the IRS, and out of spite against the GOP, closes tours of the White House while he and his family take vacation after vacation? It's all Bush's fault anyway, right farmer5?
MV can keep Obama as far as I am concerned.
Well Caroline, one certainly
farmer 5 chilmarkWell Caroline, one certainly can't pin the two useless, unfunded wars that cost this country TRILLIONS (Sorry Caroline, I don't often use caps for emphasis but your loopy comments left me no choice) of dollars on Obama because he wasn't in office at the time. But I guess now that he is in office and the bills are piling up you feel free to ignore reality and take all the pot shots you want. The world economy is a mess, the housing bubble that convinced everyone they were rich has long since popped, credit card debt, student loan debt...etc are all the fault of Obama in your myopic view of reality. Maybe Obama, sporting a Navy flight jacket will have a chance to pose in front of a big 'Mission Accomplished' banner before he too disappears into the annals of history and we can all blame the mess on the next guy to occupy the White House. That would certainly be easier.
2,000 US troops have been
thatsitivehadenough2,000 US troops have been killed in the entire Afghanistan war. In the same amount of time, 5,000 people have been shot to death in Chicago alone. Obama? Not one word. Black on black crime doesn't put forward the agenda.
How awful is that high tax in
Ralph EdgartownHow awful is that high tax in NY and being represented by two dems in the senate?! Up on the Vineyard, we enjoy low taxes and a booming economy, new roads and all. But we don't go around repeating others' talking points. Our fishermen still go to protest over unrealistic quotas - exercising our rights the right way. But too bad you hate us farmers too much, so please stay on that island of yours, we will keep our president.
Wow. So much hate and
Steve ChilmarkWow. So much hate and stupidity on here. Embarrassing.
If I had a son he'd look
michael west tisburyIf I had a son he'd look nothing like Obama. He took sides in a race motivated circus. How about we leave the politic separate from criminal trials.
"If I had a son he'd look
Amy Cape Cod"If I had a son he'd look nothing like Obama" Somehow I bet that's *quite* true.
"If I had a son he'd look
Amy Cape Cod"If I had a son he'd look nothing like Obama"
Somehow I would bet that's *quite* true.
If the Obamas truly loved
Carole OBIf the Obamas truly loved this island and really gave a damn about the impact they have on it, they wouldn't come. But that is not the case now, is it? It's all about THEM and screw everybody else in their way, at YOUR expense.
What a great thing for the
Maureen Regan Edgartown and NYCWhat a great thing for the people and businesses on the Island. Do not use this as an anti-Obama platform. The President ofthe Greatest country in the world who can vacation anywherehas picked Marth's Vineyard. Celebrate that we are connected to such a beautiful place!
Happy that we are not
Diane Geneseo,IlHappy that we are not vacationing on the island this year. How many vacations does this guy get that we have to pay for?
Are you kidding? The arrogant
Jon S. PAAre you kidding? The arrogant Emperor just spent around $100 MILLION for a 10-day family jaunt to Africa while the White House is STILL closed to public tours and the "sequester" layoffs are beginning to hurt several areas. Is this guy EVER going to stop vacationing?
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