Scenes From Independence Day on Martha's Vineyard

Old glory is flying around the Island today.
Old glory is flying around the Island today.
Ray Ewing
Old glory is flying around the Island today.
Old glory is flying around the Island today.
Ray Ewing
The Oak Bluffs kids parade gets underway.
The Oak Bluffs kids parade gets underway.
Jeanna Shepard
The Oak Bluffs kids parade gets underway.
The Oak Bluffs kids parade gets underway.
Jeanna Shepard
Encouraging the young marchers.
Encouraging the young marchers.
Jeanna Shepard
Encouraging the young marchers.
Encouraging the young marchers.
Jeanna Shepard
The Froehner family enjoys the bubbles.
The Froehner family enjoys the bubbles.
Jeanna Shepard
The Froehner family enjoys the bubbles.
The Froehner family enjoys the bubbles.
Jeanna Shepard
Millie and Beckham Ferrebee rode their bikes in the parade.
Millie and Beckham Ferrebee rode their bikes in the parade.
Jeanna Shepard
Millie and Beckham Ferrebee rode their bikes in the parade.
Millie and Beckham Ferrebee rode their bikes in the parade.
Jeanna Shepard
The Murphy family came out in style.
The Murphy family came out in style.
Jeanna Shepard
The Murphy family came out in style.
The Murphy family came out in style.
Jeanna Shepard
[l-r] Kim Jones, Sherri Saint-Amant, and Trish Hahn are the organizers in Oak Bluffs.
[l-r] Kim Jones, Sherri Saint-Amant, and Trish Hahn are the organizers in Oak Bluffs.
Jeanna Shepard
[l-r] Kim Jones, Sherri Saint-Amant, and Trish Hahn are the organizers in Oak Bluffs.
[l-r] Kim Jones, Sherri Saint-Amant, and Trish Hahn are the organizers in Oak Bluffs.
Jeanna Shepard
The Island is a known hotspot for former presidents.
The Island is a known hotspot for former presidents.
Jeanna Shepard
The Island is a known hotspot for former presidents.
The Island is a known hotspot for former presidents.
Jeanna Shepard
Red, white and blue on Oak Bluffs cottages.
Red, white and blue on Oak Bluffs cottages.
Ray Ewing
Red, white and blue on Oak Bluffs cottages.
Red, white and blue on Oak Bluffs cottages.
Ray Ewing
The Aquinnah parade makes its way around the circle.
The Aquinnah parade makes its way around the circle.
Albert O. Fischer
The Aquinnah parade makes its way around the circle.
The Aquinnah parade makes its way around the circle.
Albert O. Fischer
The Taylor family is in the spirit.
The Taylor family is in the spirit.
Albert O. Fischer
The Taylor family is in the spirit.
The Taylor family is in the spirit.
Albert O. Fischer
Albert O. Fischer
Albert O. Fischer
Inflatable patriotic characters pass the Gay Head light house.
Inflatable patriotic characters pass the Gay Head light house.
Albert O. Fischer
Inflatable patriotic characters pass the Gay Head light house.
Inflatable patriotic characters pass the Gay Head light house.
Albert O. Fischer
A cookout after the Aquinnah parade.
A cookout after the Aquinnah parade.
Albert O. Fischer
A cookout after the Aquinnah parade.
A cookout after the Aquinnah parade.
Albert O. Fischer
All set and ready for company.
All set and ready for company.
Ray Ewing
All set and ready for company.
All set and ready for company.
Ray Ewing
Lots of color in the campground.
Lots of color in the campground.
Ray Ewing
Lots of color in the campground.
Lots of color in the campground.
Ray Ewing
Edgartown Fired Department makes their way up Main street.
Edgartown Fired Department makes their way up Main street.
Ray Ewing
Edgartown Fired Department makes their way up Main street.
Edgartown Fired Department makes their way up Main street.
Ray Ewing
Crowds flocked to Edgartown for 4th of July celebrations.
Crowds flocked to Edgartown for 4th of July celebrations.
Ray Ewing
Crowds flocked to Edgartown for 4th of July celebrations.
Crowds flocked to Edgartown for 4th of July celebrations.
Ray Ewing
Cecilio with his famous ox Chilmark.
Cecilio with his famous ox Chilmark.
Ray Ewing
Cecilio with his famous ox Chilmark.
Cecilio with his famous ox Chilmark.
Ray Ewing
Ray Ewing
Ray Ewing
MV Sharks players love the parade.
MV Sharks players love the parade.
Ray Ewing
MV Sharks players love the parade.
MV Sharks players love the parade.
Ray Ewing
Musket fire rings through Edgartown.
Musket fire rings through Edgartown.
Ray Ewing
Musket fire rings through Edgartown.
Musket fire rings through Edgartown.
Ray Ewing
Ray Ewing
Ray Ewing
The hats made from Vineyard Gazette newspapers are a crowd favorite.
The hats made from Vineyard Gazette newspapers are a crowd favorite.
Maria Thibodeau
The hats made from Vineyard Gazette newspapers are a crowd favorite.
The hats made from Vineyard Gazette newspapers are a crowd favorite.
Maria Thibodeau
The parade rounds the Harborview Hotel onto South Water street.
The parade rounds the Harborview Hotel onto South Water street.
Hailey McLaughlin
The parade rounds the Harborview Hotel onto South Water street.
The parade rounds the Harborview Hotel onto South Water street.
Hailey McLaughlin
Parade time is family time.
Parade time is family time.
Hailey McLaughlin
Parade time is family time.
Parade time is family time.
Hailey McLaughlin
People of all ages look forward to the parade every year.
People of all ages look forward to the parade every year.
Hailey McLaughlin
People of all ages look forward to the parade every year.
People of all ages look forward to the parade every year.
Hailey McLaughlin
Hailey McLaughlin
Hailey McLaughlin
The shark theme was very present this year.
The shark theme was very present this year.
Hailey McLaughlin
The shark theme was very present this year.
The shark theme was very present this year.
Hailey McLaughlin
Yard games and cookouts were happening all over the Island
Yard games and cookouts were happening all over the Island
L.A. Brown
Yard games and cookouts were happening all over the Island
Yard games and cookouts were happening all over the Island
L.A. Brown
Everyone had their patriotic decorations out.
Everyone had their patriotic decorations out.
L.A. Brown
Everyone had their patriotic decorations out.
Everyone had their patriotic decorations out.
L.A. Brown
Fireworks began in Edgartown around 9pm.
Fireworks began in Edgartown around 9pm.
Hailey McLaughlin
Fireworks began in Edgartown around 9pm.
Fireworks began in Edgartown around 9pm.
Hailey McLaughlin
Edgartown was lucky to have clear skies this year.
Edgartown was lucky to have clear skies this year.
Hailey McLaughlin
Edgartown was lucky to have clear skies this year.
Edgartown was lucky to have clear skies this year.
Hailey McLaughlin
The annual display is not to be missed.
The annual display is not to be missed.
Hailey McLaughlin
The annual display is not to be missed.
The annual display is not to be missed.
Hailey McLaughlin
Fireworks illuminate Edgartown.
Fireworks illuminate Edgartown.
Summer Pramer
Fireworks illuminate Edgartown.
Fireworks illuminate Edgartown.
Summer Pramer
Old glory is flying around the Island today.
The Oak Bluffs kids parade gets underway.
Encouraging the young marchers.
The Froehner family enjoys the bubbles.
Millie and Beckham Ferrebee rode their bikes in the parade.
The Murphy family came out in style.
[l-r] Kim Jones, Sherri Saint-Amant, and Trish Hahn are the organizers in Oak Bluffs.
The Island is a known hotspot for former presidents.
Red, white and blue on Oak Bluffs cottages.
The Aquinnah parade makes its way around the circle.
The Taylor family is in the spirit.
Inflatable patriotic characters pass the Gay Head light house.
A cookout after the Aquinnah parade.
All set and ready for company.
Lots of color in the campground.
Edgartown Fired Department makes their way up Main street.
Crowds flocked to Edgartown for 4th of July celebrations.
Cecilio with his famous ox Chilmark.
MV Sharks players love the parade.
Musket fire rings through Edgartown.
The hats made from Vineyard Gazette newspapers are a crowd favorite.
The parade rounds the Harborview Hotel onto South Water street.
Parade time is family time.
People of all ages look forward to the parade every year.
The shark theme was very present this year.
Yard games and cookouts were happening all over the Island
Everyone had their patriotic decorations out.
Fireworks began in Edgartown around 9pm.
Edgartown was lucky to have clear skies this year.
The annual display is not to be missed.
Fireworks illuminate Edgartown.

Towns around the Island are marking Independence Day with parades, parties, and fireworks. The kids parade through the campground, the smaller Aquinnah parade and the larger parade in Edgartown are annual mainstays of the holiday.

 

 

 

July Fourth 2015

It happened while we weren’t looking. Sometime after Memorial Day beautiful, sexy Summer sneaked up on gnarly old Winter and tackled him. Enough! Summer said. It’s my turn now.
1

Honoring Words of Frederick Douglass on Fourth of July

Colette Lathan
On Saturday, for the tenth year in a row, a group of readers took turns reciting Frederick Douglass' speech The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro. “It’s important for people to remember the impact of slavery because it’s not only a part of our history, but it’s a part of our present,” said Makani Themba, the organizer of the reading.
2

Aquinnah Children's Parade Marches to Its Own Beat

Alex Elvin

The parade is a lesser known but well-loved Island tradition. At least 150 marchers and spectators turned out for the parade on Saturday, which marched down Old South Road and ended at Philbin Beach, where kids followed a treasure map and dug up a chest full of candy.

1

One Day Late, Parade, Fireworks Still Delight All Ages

Meg Robbins

They rode on creatively crafted floats, walked, danced, rollerbladed and drove antique cars, trucks and bicycles. Children raced to collect candy hurled into the streets. Fire trucks sprayed water to cool down the crowd. And the Fourth of July celebration in Edgartown was declared a great success.

0

Fourth Fanfare is Postponed Due to Storm

Ivy Ashe

Flags were hung and picnics prepared, but many Fourth of July festivities, including the centerpiece Edgartown parade and fireworks, had been postponed by a day as the first hurricane of the season approached the northeast.

5