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.

 

 

 

Across the Vineyard, Stories of the Fourth

On the day that America celebrated its independence, and that Edgartown held the big parade, another kind of parade streamed through the tiny avenues of the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs; a tetherball tournament entertained employees of the Vineyard Yacht Club; and, by night, post-fireworks revelers flocked to Circuit avenue, sidestepping the blobs of melted ice cream left behind by toddlers before their bedtime.

It was a warm and sunny weekend, until rains came Monday afternoon; and the Vineyard took full advantage.

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Island Parade Honors September Heroes

Mark Alan Lovewell
This Fourth of July parade was clearly the biggest. Last night's fireworks were vivid and colorful. And those words can also be used to describe a parade that was so large that it took nearly two hours to run its course.

Edgartown fire chief Tony Bettencourt said: "It was absolutely the largest. It was incredible."

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July Fourth Parade Salutes National Day; Festivities Draw Applause from Big Crowds

Mandy Locke

Even though the sun took the Fourth of July off, people across the Island found plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day.

The sharp breezes and daunting sky kept folks off the beach. A survey of Norton Point Beach at midday showed only a handful of people, most of whom traded sunblock for sweaters. In fact, more state police than vacationers braved that territory.

The weather and slow morning nudged people toward their favorite restaurants for a leisurely breakfast.

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