Island Light: Fairest of the Fair
Caitlin Krol prepares the cows for milking at Mermaid Farm in Chilmark.
Caitlin Krol prepares the cows for milking at Mermaid Farm in Chilmark.
Blue ribbon winning meyer lemon jelly sparkles in the Ag Hall sunlight.
Blue ribbon winning meyer lemon jelly sparkles in the Ag Hall sunlight.
Chickens strut their stuff for onlookers.
Chickens strut their stuff for onlookers.
Early morning and judges begin their long day of viewing.
Early morning and judges begin their long day of viewing.
Parallel parking is recommended at the fair.
Parallel parking is recommended at the fair.
Bob Ganz drops off one of his mouth-watering tomatoes to be judged.
Bob Ganz drops off one of his mouth-watering tomatoes to be judged.
Not at the fair, but frog basks in the sun at Priester's Pond.
Not at the fair, but frog basks in the sun at Priester's Pond.
A spot of color before azure water on State Beach.
A spot of color before azure water on State Beach.
Time for some warm ups pre yoga workout.
Time for some warm ups pre yoga workout.
The pause that refreshes at Lake Tashmoo.
The pause that refreshes at Lake Tashmoo.
Summer-sized yachts fill Vineyard Haven harbor in August, all summer, actually.
Summer-sized yachts fill Vineyard Haven harbor in August, all summer, actually.
East Chop Lighthouse is open for tours every Sunday night from 6 to 8 p.m.
East Chop Lighthouse is open for tours every Sunday night from 6 to 8 p.m.
It's quite a mouthful to say — the hundred and fifty-fifth Martha's Vineyard Agriculture Society Live Stock Show and Fair. But no single event in each calendar year means more to the Island than this community celebration of the past, present and future. Our agricultural roots are deep, and a source of continuing pride and wonder at the lives of those hardy men and women who made a living from the soil. Today, some of those farms still exist in modern form, still sustaining Island lives and still essential to the spirit and the culture of the Vineyard.