Memorial Day Weekend Opens Season in Uncertain Year
Passengers disembark Friday afternoon under sunny skies for long weekend.
Passengers disembark Friday afternoon under sunny skies for long weekend.
Few cars line Main street in Vineyard Haven.
Few cars line Main street in Vineyard Haven.
Usually full for the holiday, boaters had plenty of room in Oak Bluffs harbor.
Usually full for the holiday, boaters had plenty of room in Oak Bluffs harbor.
Sunbathers take advantage of new beach on north Bluff.
Sunbathers take advantage of new beach on north Bluff.
Lining up, in a socially distant fashion, for pizza at Giordanos.
Lining up, in a socially distant fashion, for pizza at Giordanos.
Geno Courtney at his usual place to observe comings and goings.
Geno Courtney at his usual place to observe comings and goings.
Dropping a line off Memorial Wharf.
Dropping a line off Memorial Wharf.
Plenty of room for bikes.
Plenty of room for bikes.
Island Queen makes her trek across the Sound Saturday morning.
Island Queen makes her trek across the Sound Saturday morning.
Available, but few takers so far.
Available, but few takers so far.
Vineyard Haven harbor was busy with boat traffic Saturday.
Vineyard Haven harbor was busy with boat traffic Saturday.
When it rains, a trip to Shirley's is a popular destination.
When it rains, a trip to Shirley's is a popular destination.
The weekend was off to a soggy start.
The weekend was off to a soggy start.
Sunday was much better, much to these goldens liking.
Sunday was much better, much to these goldens liking.
Family fishing time in Menemsha.
Family fishing time in Menemsha.
Strolling down Main street in Edgartown.
Strolling down Main street in Edgartown.
Patriotic look for the holiday.
Patriotic look for the holiday.
Sunday weather cooperated for wind surfing in Sengie.
Sunday weather cooperated for wind surfing in Sengie.
Decking was completed at Gay Head overlook in time for holiday.
Decking was completed at Gay Head overlook in time for holiday.
Quiet Sunday on Squibnocket.
Quiet Sunday on Squibnocket.
Owen Park Beach.
Owen Park Beach.
Masked shoppers along Main street.
Masked shoppers along Main street.
Memorial Day brings that moment in the Vineyard year which is defined, more than any other, by its contradictions. This weekend stands each year as the gateway into summer. But even as it offers a sweet foretaste of the season to come, Memorial Day invites us to look back and to remember, even to grieve, for those who sacrificed any chance to savor the sweetness of another May.