The 47 steers – 23 pairs and one spare – participating in the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society’s 162nd Annual Livestock Show and Fair August 15-18 already have their ferry reservations.
Do you?
It’s not too late for walk-in customers to take a ferry to Cape Cod and then take public transportation from Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven to the fair, which is about 20 minutes away in West Tisbury.
Take the Island Queen from Woods Hole for $27 round-trip, the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole for $20 round-trip, or the HyLine fast ferry from Hyannis for $70 round-trip.
They will not ride with the oxen.
“The oxen and draft horses come in trailers. Our association receives over 50 boat reservations for all the animals,” said Lauren Lynch, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society and director of the annual market.
Lynch said that without off-island talent, the fair would not be able to host oxen and draft horse pulling competitions.
One of the locals who will be attending this year’s festival is Cicilio Rosa Neto, a native of Brazil who is known on the island for his ox cart – with the friendly cattle Chilmark – that often greets visitors at the ferry terminals.
When is the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair?
The fair will take place from August 15 to 18, Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition hall and stands close at 10 p.m.
“People book (rental vehicles) years in advance to be here for Fair Week and the Grand Illumination on Wednesday the 14th,” said Sally Rizzo, the fair’s assistant director.
What is Illumination Night?
Illumination Night begins at the Tabernacle with music from the Vineyard Haven Band and a sing-along. Seats fill up quickly when the event begins at 7:30 p.m. Then thousands of visitors tour Oak Bluffs’ gingerbread houses, which are decorated with hundreds of Japanese lanterns. Independent of the fair, Illumination Night is supported by a voluntary donation collected at the Tabernacle at 80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs – in the center of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association campground.
The cast-iron Tabernacle was originally a tent for religious revival meetings, but according to the campground’s website, it opened for worship in 1879.
How many farms are there on Martha’s Vineyard?
Lynch said there are 35 farms on the island. The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society provides support and education year-round, and the annual fair is the society’s largest fundraiser. Last year, about 30,000 people attended, she said.
What happens at the fair?
The fair begins on Thursday with Cow Day. Friday is Horse Day, Saturday is Tractor and Forester Day and Sunday is the Dog Show. On Sunday at 3 p.m. there is the annual women’s frying pan throwing competition, where women compete to throw a cast iron frying pan as far as possible.
The US Navy Cruisers Band will play opening day Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Cruisers will play oldies and contemporary hits.
“It’s a smaller version of the Navy Band, like a wedding band,” Lynch said.
A full list of activities, from housewares displays to tractor pulls, is available online at marthasvineyardagricultualsociety.org/the-fair/.
How much does the fair cost and where can I get tickets?
Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5-12, ages 4 and younger are free, $10 for ages 62 and older and veterans. Parking at the 30-acre fairgrounds at 35 Panhandle Road in West Tisbury is $10. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite.
Cushing Amusements, which operates the rides, games and some food stands, sells its tickets separately. Visit cushingmagicmoneyllc.com/ online to purchase a card that gives you access to all Cushing has to offer. Show your receipt to pick up the card at the fair. Each credit is worth $1, with each ride costing 5-7 credits. An unlimited ride pass is available for $50 on Friday.
How does the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair become environmentally friendly?
The trade fair management asks all food vendors to use compostable plates, cups and cutlery.
“When you live on an island, garbage is a problem. We spend a lot of money removing garbage from the island,” Lynch said.
This year, the fair will feature manned disposal stations where volunteers will be on hand to help visitors sort their trash into the proper containers for recycling or composting.
“We’re working to make this a green fair,” Lynch said. “We encourage everyone to bring a refillable water bottle. We’ll have filling stations.”
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