Celebrating Summer's Swan Song at Tivoli Day
Vada Church, three years old, is transformed by face paint.
Vada Church, three years old, is transformed by face paint.
Tivoli Day dance time for Isla Henry and her father, Nolan.
Tivoli Day dance time for Isla Henry and her father, Nolan.
Big crowds fill Oak Bluffs for 40th annual celebration.
Big crowds fill Oak Bluffs for 40th annual celebration.
Chase Renzi makes some furry friends.
Chase Renzi makes some furry friends.
Extra, extra! The Gazette passed out folded newspaper hats.
Extra, extra! The Gazette passed out folded newspaper hats.
Mocha Mott's employee Ian Wooster.
Mocha Mott's employee Ian Wooster.
Lilly Hayes, three years old, poses with a friend.
Lilly Hayes, three years old, poses with a friend.
Phoenix Rogers of Island Wampum adjusts a bracelet.
Phoenix Rogers of Island Wampum adjusts a bracelet.
John Hancock, Donald Reaves, and John Jenkins take a seat at Post Office Square.
John Hancock, Donald Reaves, and John Jenkins take a seat at Post Office Square.
Susie Sanders and Gayle McLennan.
Susie Sanders and Gayle McLennan.
Henry Thomas and Lisa Walker are in the shopping spirit.
Henry Thomas and Lisa Walker are in the shopping spirit.
A fountain of bling: Gwenn Bukowiec's vintage jewelry.
A fountain of bling: Gwenn Bukowiec's vintage jewelry.
Clementine DeForest is in the spirit.
Clementine DeForest is in the spirit.
Robin Ahigian checks out Stefanie Wolf designs in the mirror.
Robin Ahigian checks out Stefanie Wolf designs in the mirror.
Stella DeBettencourt, age 7, turns into a butterfly.
Stella DeBettencourt, age 7, turns into a butterfly.
Singer/songwriter Kevin Herchen, one of several singers at Tivoli Day participating in the Martha's Vineyard Songwriting Festival.
Singer/songwriter Kevin Herchen, one of several singers at Tivoli Day participating in the Martha's Vineyard Songwriting Festival.
Kitzy Clark of Kitzy Pottery.
Kitzy Clark of Kitzy Pottery.
Trio of dogs.
Trio of dogs.
Kate Fournier of Noepe Design.
Kate Fournier of Noepe Design.
Angels Helping Animals Worldwide.
Angels Helping Animals Worldwide.
Martha's Vineyard Sharks general manager Russ Curran.
Martha's Vineyard Sharks general manager Russ Curran.
Krista Angelucci performs.
Krista Angelucci performs.
Strawberry shortcake girls: Aedan Coogan, Eliza Belle Carestia, Ginger Johns, Rory Carestia, Josey Johnson.
Strawberry shortcake girls: Aedan Coogan, Eliza Belle Carestia, Ginger Johns, Rory Carestia, Josey Johnson.
Bubble fight time for four-year-old twins Luke and Cooper O'Conner.
Bubble fight time for four-year-old twins Luke and Cooper O'Conner.
For 40 years, Oak Bluffs has celebrated Tivoli Day, a home-grown end of summer celebration. The event began as a bicycle race, and has evolved into a street fair featuring music, dining, vendors, face painting, and more. The 40th anniversary celebration was dedicated to the late Ed Coogan and Michael Wild, who were credited with founding Tivoli Day.
The name comes from the long gone but not forgotten Tivoli Dance Hall, which gained fame in the roaring 20s. This year's event did not feature the Charleston or the jitterbug, but spirits were high nonetheless as Circuit avenue was filled with artisans and shop-owners selling their wares, children dancing with freshly-painted faces, and revelers carrying shopping bags and stopping to listen to music, enjoying the pace of September on the Vineyard.