October 4: Not Over ‘Til It’s Over

October 4, 2018

While the leaf-peepers head north this holiday weekend, here on the Island we will be pretending
it is still summer. The forecast is for warm and mostly sunny weather; the water temperature is still in the 60s. We plan to swim, paddle, surf, fish, golf and hike.
And we plan (no guarantees) to part ways with our phones for more than five-minute intervals.
We’ve also got a target list of great events to hit. Hope we see you there, sans phone.

Columbus Day Weekend Wish List

Rave reviews: We hear the new production at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse is not to be missed. The Room Where I Was Held by David Zax and directed by MJ Bruder Munafo plays tonight, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. The play is the intriguing story of a young journalist who was held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan but is now back home with his doting parents. But there’s more to this drama, which explores right and wrong and the dangerous in-between.
In a word: Chocolate. On Saturday and Sunday, the 15th Annual Art of Chocolate Festival takes place at Featherstone Center of the Arts (noon to 4 p.m. each day). Enjoy cakes, brownies, candy and all kinds of chocolate confections made by Island bakers and more at this affordable fundraiser.
Yard sale extraordinaire: The artists who’ve been showing their work throughout the summer at The Art Gallery (the MVCVA Art Cooperative) in Oak Bluffs are having a Yard Art Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all kinds of discounts on artwork both inside the gallery and outside.
Real fairy tales: It’s the 7th Annual Fairy and Troll House Building Day at the West Tisbury Library on Saturday (10:30 a.m. to noon). We’re there.
Opera on film: Aida is the featured opera at the latest Met Opera Live event on Saturday at the MV Film Center. Screen time is 12:55 p.m.
The hills are alive: We’re up for any excuse to walk Menemsha Hills, but Saturday’s mushroom-hunting adventure with Wesley Price, founder of the Cape Cod Mycological Society, definitely intrigues us (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.).
Start your holiday shopping: On Sunday, stock up on Vineyard-made furniture, pottery, paintings, weavings, jewelry, books and more at the Vineyard Artisans Annual Columbus Day Festival at the Grange Hall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cute animals + pumpkins: On Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Island Alpaca’s Pumpkin Fest is a win-win for kids and parents alike.
Run with a view. Get your 10K run in on a challenging and scenic race course in Aquinnah. The Gay Head 10K race (10:30 a.m. on Sunday) is US Track and Field certified. Or go a little more low-key with the Columbus Day 5K and Fun Run starting at the Summercamp Hotel and heading around East Chop in Oak Bluffs. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday; race begins at 11 a.m.
Hayrides and herds. The Farm Insitute’s Fall on the Farm event happens on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Highlights include hayrides to visit the herd of cattle, squash bowling, field games and pumpkin and face painting. A Moveable Feast catering will be there with a pig roast; Bad Martha is bringing the brew.