As starter plants begin to sprout in greenhouses across the Island, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society ushered in the spring season on Saturday evening at its annual potluck.

The Agricultural Society is celebrating the art of meat, both in the kitchen and on the dance floor.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, Jefferson Munroe of the Good Farm will host a sausage making workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Excerpted from Bountiful: A History of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society and the Livestock Show and Fair, by Susan Klein, with photographs by Alan Brigish (Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, 2012).

This excerpt is taken from chapter 9 which tells the story of the midway and how it came to play an integral part of the annual Island tradition.

“My favorite was the Scrambler! It was really fun!”

— Dylan Biggs, 7 years of age

The first Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair was held on October 26, 1858: it was announced on September 15 of that year. And thus began a pilgrimage that would be unfamiliar in nature though familiar in spirit to modern-day fairgoers: 1,800 people made their way to the Grange Hall in West Tisbury by horseback, in wagons or on foot.

The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society welcomed spring last Saturday with their annual potluck supper. Dale McClure, president of the society, said this is one event that requires the least amount of preparation, especially when compared to the organization’s other affairs through the year.

“It is a chance for all of us to get together before we all get busy,” Mr. McClure said.