Island Light: Triple Play
Sunflower fields in bloom at Katama Farm.
Sunflower fields in bloom at Katama Farm.
Schooner Alabama's sails are full off Vineyard Haven.
Schooner Alabama's sails are full off Vineyard Haven.
Camp Jabberwocky is perrenial Vineyard favorite.
Camp Jabberwocky is perrenial Vineyard favorite.
Rusted farm equipment becomes art in Island fields.
Rusted farm equipment becomes art in Island fields.
Osprey pole in the meadow of Felix Neck.
Osprey pole in the meadow of Felix Neck.
Mass Audubon's Suzan Bellincampi at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mass Audubon's Suzan Bellincampi at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jet ski creates wake in Sengekontacket.
Jet ski creates wake in Sengekontacket.
Molly Lindberg of Miss Molly Circus.
Molly Lindberg of Miss Molly Circus.
Eyes on you. Sneaking into the Oak Bluffs Bandstand.
Eyes on you. Sneaking into the Oak Bluffs Bandstand.
Swallowtail alights on a butterfly bush.
Swallowtail alights on a butterfly bush.
Bumblebee collects pollen from a thistle.
Bumblebee collects pollen from a thistle.
Tackless on her mooring on Lagoon Pond.
Tackless on her mooring on Lagoon Pond.
Downpour brought heavy rain to Vineyard.
Downpour brought heavy rain to Vineyard.
Over an inch of rain fell in a short amount of time.
Over an inch of rain fell in a short amount of time.
Swimming raft off West Chop.
Swimming raft off West Chop.
Military plane lands on Vineyard before Vice President Kamala Harris visit.
Military plane lands on Vineyard before Vice President Kamala Harris visit.
Vice President Harris arrives on Island Saturday.
Vice President Harris arrives on Island Saturday.
End of day at Sengie.
End of day at Sengie.
Among all the months on the Vineyard calendar, the ecology of August is unique. One week in particular stands alone at the top of the summer food chain, with three Island traditions. It all begins Wednesday with the Night of the Grand Illumination in Oak Bluffs. It continues with the opening of the 161st annual Livestock Show and Fair of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society. And it peaks dramatically on Friday night with the fireworks at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs.
No one dismisses the fair, Illumination Night or the fireworks with that cliché of contemporary boredom: Been there, done that. Of course we have — the very repetition is part of the charm. And as long as there are Vineyard summers to be savored, we will look forward to enjoying these three again.