Happy Feet and Full Tummies at the Barn Raisers' Ball
Working off some of the dessert potluck.
Working off some of the dessert potluck.
Revelers packed the Ag Hall for annual Barn Raisers' Ball.
Revelers packed the Ag Hall for annual Barn Raisers' Ball.
Johnny Hoy led the Bluefish in foot stomping music.
Johnny Hoy led the Bluefish in foot stomping music.
Band kept the floor filled with young and old alike.
Band kept the floor filled with young and old alike.
Buck Shank leads the way on guitar.
Buck Shank leads the way on guitar.
Kids filled the dance floor with reckless abandon.
Kids filled the dance floor with reckless abandon.
Steady flow of conversation and dessert treats.
Steady flow of conversation and dessert treats.
Warm fire for a cool evening.
Warm fire for a cool evening.
Full moon shone down over Ag Society's annual fete.
Full moon shone down over Ag Society's annual fete.
In May of 1994, nearly 40 Islanders traveled to New Hampshire to take down a 1905 dairy barn and bring it back to the Island. Then, in November of that year, hundreds of Islanders helped raise the Agricultural Hall in its current location on Panhandle Road. The annual Barn Raisers’ Ball is not just a nod to the past, though. It is also a celebration of the present — the community, the season, food, friendship and, of course, dancing.
At this year’s ball a donation jar joined the dessert buffet. The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, which owns the hall, is experiencing a financial shortfall and needs help. A full crowd was on hand Saturday to dance to the beat of Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish and support the Agricultural Society.