President Obama is scheduled to arrive Saturday for a two-week summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard, his seventh and final summer trip to the Island during his time as a sitting president.
President Obama is scheduled to arrive Saturday for a two-week summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, his seventh and final summer trip to the Island during his time as a sitting president.
The First Family is scheduled to travel to the Vineyard on Saturday, August 6, the White House announced last week. The Obamas will depart on Sunday, August 21.
No public events are scheduled.
This week familiar signs of the President’s arrival were visible around the Vineyard, most notably government planes and helicopters coming in and out of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport. Preparations for the visit have been underway for the past few months and weeks, with the Coast Guard and Martha’s Vineyard Airport working with the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service to finalize plans and security details.
A temporary flight restriction was issued this week from August 6 to August 22 for a 30 nautical-mile radius around Martha’s Vineyard Airport. The airspace restriction prohibits some air operations, including the use of unmanned aircraft systems, like drones. Those flying private planes in and out of the Vineyard will need to plan in advance and will face tightened security.
The Obama family is expected to once again rent a family home owned by Joanne Hubschman; the house is off North Road and overlooks the Vineyard’s north shore.
For all but one year of the Obama presidency, the Vineyard has served as a summer getaway for the First Family, bringing members of the Secret Service, press, and advisors along with them. The family’s ties to the Vineyard date to before the Obama presidency. In late August 2009, the Obamas arrived for their first Summer White House visit, a one-week stay at Blue Heron Farm in West Tisbury.
The Obamas returned every summer after that, except in 2012, when the President was in the middle of a re-election campaign.
The family vacations are usually low-key, with the President spending time on Island golf courses and family bike rides through the state forest and trips to the beach. The Obamas enjoy watching the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks display and eating out at various Island restaurants with family and friends.
While the President’s trips are unscheduled, world affairs and other duties often call for a break in his down time. In the past he has made statements to the press about world events, speaking from behind a podium with the Presidential in Island school cafeterias and a lawn in Chilmark. The last several years, the Edgartown school cafeteria has served as the press filing center and makeshift briefing room.
Vineyarders typically take the visit in stride, and onlookers often gather with their smart phones to take a picture as the motorcade rushes down Island roads. Seeing the motorcade, or Secret Service stationed outside a restaurant, are often the only visible signs of the Summer White House’s presence on the Vineyard.
Photos of President Obama's Vineyard visits through the years.
Comments
Final Vineyard summer
Aela Vineyard HavenFinal Vineyard summer vacation as President! Hopefully, he will continue to return for many years.
perhaps the final as
skip obperhaps the final as President--but I don't think it will be his last trip here...
I hope its their last trip.
Vineyarder Off IslandI hope its their last trip. They have all been on our dimes.
Right on! George W. never
Farmer5 ChilmarkRight on! George W. never cost us anything, never traveled on Air Force 1 or had Secret Service around him. If I recall he always took a Greyhound to Crawford TX where he spent a total of several years during his presidency while the VP and Haliburton ran the show.
Oh wait...you're going to remind me that those were all 'working vacations', right?
Your a dope. Of course G W
Robert costa PawtucketYour a dope. Of course G W flew on Air Force one. And as far as secret service. Your wrong again. They would never allow any President to not have secret service. It's sort of mandatory. Now go back up the rock you live under,
George Bush was born with a
Jennifer OBGeorge Bush was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had his own place. Besides, a lot of business is brought to the Island. Not only when they spend time here but by raising the profile of the Island.
Last year it was shown that
RB WTLast year it was shown that Obama took 125 full or partial days vacation. By the same time during his presidency Bush took 407 - not that any President is truly "on vacation". Nevertheless, they are people like anyone else, and have growing children. Who is to deprive anyone vacation time to spend time with family, and importantly decompress from on of the most stressful jobs in the world. Lastly, Presidents pay for food/lodging and incidentals. Security/transportation/staff etc.. is on our dime.
We welcome the whole First
SteveF ChimarkWe welcome the whole First Family back to Chilmark. (I hope they're not reading these disrespectful comments. Sad.)
What I liked most about Obama
Tim CambridgeWhat I liked most about Obama versus Bush is that Bush celebrated Christmas at the White House so as not to disrupt staff - particularly the secret service detail - over the holidays. Obama? Goes to Hawaii. Did I say like? I meant disgusts me most.
I hope his plane leaves early
Beverly New YorkI hope his plane leaves early! I'm flying in August 21st around 3:30 p.m.
I hope they stop coming
TimmyI hope they stop coming
Charming, Timmy. A real class
JeffCharming, Timmy. A real class act. Way to disrespect and reflect poorly on the rest of us.
Grouch
MarieGrouch
welcome President Obama and
Thea Hansen inBeach area, Oak Bluffswelcome President Obama and family,
Have a wonderful vacation.
If anyone deserves a break -
Paul FloridaIf anyone deserves a break - he does!!! A looong one!
We are honoured to have you
Tom Underwood Oak BluffsWe are honoured to have you here, President Obama and family. Thank you for 8 wonderful years!
Welcome, Mr. President and
Christine Powers Waltham, MAWelcome, Mr. President and First Family! I hope you have the lovely time you deserve!
It is time for Mr. Obama to
Time Oak BluffsIt is time for Mr. Obama to christen the new court at Niantic Park.
Welcome Obama family- relax
Sue OBWelcome Obama family- relax and enjoy.
We get the leader of the free
Gentlemanscholar MVWe get the leader of the free world and Nantucket gets the Vice President of the Kardashians. That seems about right. Maybe Trump will follow in Kourtney's lead and spend his vacations there. Meanwhile, thanks President Obama. Enjoy your visit! You have earned a vacation.
Thank you President Obama for
Ellen Carlisle Oak BluffsThank you President Obama for your service as the President of the USA.
I wish you and your family a wonderful, well deserved vacation ! :)
Even lousy employees are
BS OBEven lousy employees are entitled to a vacation.
I agree. Now, what about
Tim Hanley New York, NYI agree. Now, what about President Obama?
My message to the Obamas:
Paul Sutherland ChilmarkMy message to the Obamas: Come early, come often, stay late. It's always nice knowing you are here.
What an honor to have the
Edgartown Resident EdgartownWhat an honor to have the President of the United States choose our home as their vacation spot. He knows it just doesn't get any better than this.
Thank you, President Obama,
Gee Gee Barden Oak Bluffs and Porter Ranch, CAThank you, President Obama, for your most excellent service to our country and the world during your 8 years in office. How very fortunate we have been to have you as our president during this crucial time in our history. I hope that you and your family are able to enjoy one of your best vacations ever this summer.
Eat at Biscuits on Lake Ave
Jill MV-yearoundEat at Biscuits on Lake Ave in Oak Bluffs across from Jim's Pkg. store. Best Breakfast on MV, lunch as well !! Very quiet and, easy access for Secret Service also, very clean. One front door one back door. Both owners are the chefs as well, only them. They are there all the time. Open 7 days a week, 7:00 am-4:00 pm. Enjoy, your stay here again. Maybe we'll see you in our travels. You deserve a rest, President Obama
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard
Grandma Beti EdgaryownWelcome to Martha's Vineyard Fitst Family! We hope you have a relaxing, enjoyable and fun filled stay. Please come back often. Thank you for 8 fabulous years. You will be missed. Enjoy!
We are not paying for his
Lauri MV yar roudWe are not paying for his vacation!
Looove having them come and enjoy our beautiful island...they have been coming looong before he was Pres...
I am so glad he has spent his
andrew long tampa, flI am so glad he has spent his time there. It has helped all of us who have business interests in the area and those of us who depend on Wall Street for our livelihood, we are pleased to have him visit any successful resort area. They all profit by his presence. Sure it takes a lot of policing and effort but the rewards for the ones of who live and die by the market, appreciate it.
As always we are happy that
John F Williams II White PlainsAs always we are happy that the President and his family are returning. They are certainly welcome to stop by our house. We would thank the President for healthcare, millions of new jobs, a revitalized auto industry, the elimination of nuclear threats, action on climate change and for setting an exemplary example as a father, husband, elected official and statesman.
Why do, after almost eight
Bob Fargo EdgartownWhy do, after almost eight years, Obama supporters ALWAYS seem to bring Bush into the picture? And why will I, because I don't like Obama or Clinton, most likely be accused of loving Trimp. The facts are that Obama is a traitor, the Clintons are lying degenerates, and Trump is an obnoxious fool. God help our nation!
Mr. Williams:
Tom West TisburyMr. Williams:
I've been looking for the right words, but now I do not need to find them. You've said it for me. We "Wall Streeters" and everyone else who has mutual funds appreciate the fact that the stock market
has tripled since he took office. How quickly we forget: in 2008, the country was on the verge of financial collapse with jobs being lost at the rate of 800,000 a month. In his presidency there has never been a month when jobs were not added.
As for you, Mr. Long, probably you need to do a few more semesters in sarcasm school--not that your comments are unreasonable.
And for those who complain about the costs of anything he does, would you please keep in mind that he is the President of the United States of America.
We hope that the president
Edward Redd Oak BluffsWe hope that the president and his family return often after his final term ends.It is our sincere hope that he buys a home here,Hawaii has nothing on the "Vineyard"If not him then his children,because it is probably deeply entrenched in their DNA.As my dear friend at C'est La Vie reminds us with his wonderful merchandise"FAREWELL MR. PRESIDENT"
It is because of things like Potus coming,that we remember what a wonderful place this is!We are grateful we can share this"place"with others.
I love having the president
Pat Wright Cotuit, Ma.I love having the president choose The Cape. They fly over my house when they arrive at Otis. It is so exciting to see the plane. Wish there was more kindness in the world. It is one thing to disagree, but another matter to spew out hate and just plain mean words. This is a family America can be proud of.
I do not support Obama
Jimmy C Edgartown, MAI do not support Obama politically but respect his right to take a vacation. Yes, there are some minor inconveniences when he is around but I credit him for appearing to recognize that and try to stay as low key as possible. As for the whole "bubble" that surrounds him, it is unfortunately a fact of lie in today's world.
I have visited the Vineyard
Mary M. Cornwall, NYI have visited the Vineyard for 30 years but for the past eight years now I have rearranged my August vacation for an October vacation to avoid all the chaos. I welcome their selection for their summer vacations, we all have that in common with the President and his family. The Vineyard is the best place to be! I hope to make it to the Ag Fair next summer...
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