At precisely 5 p.m., World War II veterans Herb Foster, 92, and Bob Falkenberg, 93, set out on a Fourth of July procession through the streets of downtown Edgartown.
Molly Headly, age six, spun in circles waving her American flag while the Colonial Navy band marched by on Main street.
A family walks along Memorial Wharf eating ice cream, the children wearing Martha's Vineyard sweatshirts, one red, one white and two blue.
Almost 10 months after Sept.
Even though the sun took the Fourth of July off, people across the Island found plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day.
The sharp breezes and daunting sky kept folks off the beach. A survey of Norton Point Beach at midday showed only a handful of people, most of whom traded sunblock for sweaters. In fact, more state police than vacationers braved that territory.
The weather and slow morning nudged people toward their favorite restaurants for a leisurely breakfast.
Sun Shines Down on Annual Fourth of July Parade
Kids line Water street waiting for candy.
Kids line Water street waiting for candy.
Kathy Jordan and David Jordan found a good spot on Main street.
Kathy Jordan and David Jordan found a good spot on Main street.
![[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/gallery/2024/07/04/re_7-4-24_july_4th_parade_dsc0813.jpg?itok=HTrobK3u "[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.")
[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.
![[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.]( /sites/default/files/gallery/2024/07/04/re_7-4-24_july_4th_parade_dsc0813.jpg "[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.")
[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.
"Uncle Sam" (aka. Willie Chu) wants you!
"Uncle Sam" (aka. Willie Chu) wants you!
Lieutenant Chris Dolby deputizes Gavin and Bodhi Eisendrath.
Lieutenant Chris Dolby deputizes Gavin and Bodhi Eisendrath.
Alchemy is parade central.
Alchemy is parade central.
The Vineyard Haven Band gets the crowd in the mood.
The Vineyard Haven Band gets the crowd in the mood.
Sheriff Bob Ogden leading the state troopers.
Sheriff Bob Ogden leading the state troopers.
Cecilio and his famous ox Chilmark won "most original" float.
Cecilio and his famous ox Chilmark won "most original" float.
Skipper Manter is in the spirit.
Skipper Manter is in the spirit.
Catching a Vineyard Gazette hat!
Catching a Vineyard Gazette hat!
The iconic red Vineyard Gazette truck.
The iconic red Vineyard Gazette truck.
Paul Thurlow and Rick Bausman on the drums.
Paul Thurlow and Rick Bausman on the drums.
Mariah Rose Coen with Camp Jabberwocky.
Mariah Rose Coen with Camp Jabberwocky.
Gabi Cortez and Hilary Dreyer with the Jabberwocky bus.
Gabi Cortez and Hilary Dreyer with the Jabberwocky bus.
Celtic pride was also strong.
Celtic pride was also strong.
The Sutherland Pipe Band marched with the MV Scottish Society.
The Sutherland Pipe Band marched with the MV Scottish Society.
The parade makes its way up Main street.
The parade makes its way up Main street.
A memorial to the late Ted Morgan.
A memorial to the late Ted Morgan.
![[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_200x133_/public/gallery/2024/07/04/re_7-4-24_july_4th_parade_dsc0813.jpg?itok=fQILRqUf "[l-r] Ava Weinberg, Judah Wolfe, Ilana Weinberg, Adira Wolfe.")
The floats were out in force in this year's Fourth of July parade, from fire trucks and classic cars to the Scottish Society in kilts and playing the bagpipes to Camp Jabberwocky which decorated their red bus with a cardboard cut-out of the Olympic Rings.