Island Time, June 13-June 16: Dive into Summer

Several men in wet suits with surfboards on a rocky Martha's Vineyard beach

Island Time, June 13-June 16: Dive into Summer

June 13, 2019

What is so rare as a day in June? In our humble opinion, a whole weekend of things to do on Martha’s Vineyard in the early summertime. Farmstands are bursting with Island grown produce, ice cream shops are open, and at the beaches, water temperatures have reached the upper 60s. You might not be ready to jump off the Jaws bridge yet, but there’s every reason to dive into summer.

Friday, June 14 | Stars, Stripes and Strawberries

Happy Flag Day! Of course, Island towns show their patriotic pride with American flags every day, as you’ll see strolling through Edgartown, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven. From certain vantage points, you can see Old Glory flying from half a dozen or more staffs and masts, ashore and afloat. Just for fun, see how many you can count.

At the Grange Exchange, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in West Tisbury, you can shop for vintage treasures from multiple Vineyard dealers. Feeling adventurous? Take a Kayak Quest at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, following rhyming clues on a self-guided educational tour of Sengekontacket Pond.

On the big screen, Edgartown Cinemas has Shaft (R) at 3:45 p.m. and 9 p.m., Late Night (R) at 6:30 p.m., Men In Black International (PG-13) at 3:45 p.m. and in 3D at 6:30 p.m. and Rocketman (R) at 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 15th | Farm to Film

This morning, families can explore farm life in a series of hands-on activities at the Farm Institute in Edgartown. Drop in any time between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to take part in the week’s scheduled Barnyard Buddies pursuits, which could include egg collecting, feeding the goats, a bunny circle and/or a farm storytime.

More fun for the little ones: Chilmark Community Church is hosting a free fair for young children from 10 a.m. to noon, with pony rides, a bouncy house, cupcakes and old-fashioned games. All ages are welcome at West Tisbury’s Old Fashioned Town Picnic from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the  Agricultural Hall. BYO picnic and a dessert dish to share; lemonade, water, live music, hayrides, a fire truck, animals and face painting are provided.

Celebrate Father’s Day early at the Aquinnah Public Library‘s Dogs for Dad BBQ from noon to 2 p.m., or bring the paterfamilias to Sea Smoke’s Mass Axes Grand Opening Axeathon in Oak Bluffs, where he can be one of the first to own a limited-edition Oak Bluffs Bullseye T-shirt. Axe throwing runs from noon to 7 p.m. at the popular barbecue joint on Oakland avenue just off Dukes County avenue.

If you’re in Chilmark this afternoon stop by the Chilmark library at 2:30 for the opening of photographer Ray Ewing’s fascinating new exhibit, The Ancient World in America.

Tonight, catch the new Rhode Island heist flick Vault at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in a special showing with director Tom DeNucci, as well as producer Chad A. Verdi and editor Zared Shai, who are both Vineyard business owners. The film follows a gang of small-time criminals who in 1975 decide to steal more than $30 million from the R.I. Mafia. Show time is 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 16 | A Day for Dad

If you’re lucky enough to have a dad with you this Father’s Day weekend, take him out for a sumptuous meal at one of the Vineyard’s favorite brunch spots: Artcliff Diner and the Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven, Linda Jean’s in Oak Bluffs, Right Fork Diner in Edgartown and State Road in West Tisbury are all solid choices (with alcoholic beverages for those who partake).

If you hit Morning Glory Farm on the early side, you might be able to score some fresh Island strawberries. The farmstand opens at 9 a.m. on Sundays and if the weather has been dry, the strawberries usually come in around 10 a.m. Berries in hand, grab a coffee or fresh-from-the-tap kombucha and kick back on the shady porch to watch the world go by.

The fifth annual Father’s Day Car-B-Q Classic car show and picnic brings a bevy of sweet rides from the last century to the lawn of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, overlooking Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s free (food and drink is available for purchase) and museum admission is included. Got a pre-1989 vehicle you’re proud of? Enter it to vie for trophies. In case of rain, check for updates on vineyardgazette.com.

At the movies, The Secret Life of Pets screens at 4:30 p.m. in the historic Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs. Live acoustic music with Adam Natusch starts at 4:30 at The Cardboard Box on Circuit avenue and at the Ritz, the Brothers McMahon’s Holy Rock & Roll Revival begins at 7 p.m.

Photo by Albert O. Fischer

 

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