The Fourth brought eager Islanders out in full force on Saturday, ready to bid farewell to a rainy June and dive headfirst into the fun and sun that should characterize a Vineyard summer. It was a celebration of our nation’s birthday, and Edgartown proved that it still knows how to throw a great party.

Waiting spectators lined the streets, politely vying for front-row curb space along the parade route to catch the best view of the Island’s legendary Independence Day procession.

The crowd hushed slightly as the first parade vehicles appeared at the top of Main street, police cars with bright blue lights spiraling. The momentary stillness ended as the Bay Street Band drew closer, its upbeat music unleashing another wave of excited cheering from the crowd.

“Oh I love this music!” gushed a nearby spectator.

An Edgartown police officer tried to control the crowd as the parade vehicles rounded the first bend, his solemn expression hinting at the pressure placed on town officials to ensure that the day’s events ran smoothly. His was the lone unsmiling face among the mass of eager patriots, and the day thankfully transpired disaster-free.

Children clutching brightly colored beach buckets dropped to the ground to catch flying candy, launched from a succession of vintage cars holding selectmen from each of the Vineyard towns. Little boys and girls delighted in the excitement of pouncing on the nearest peppermint or Tootsie Roll, a bonus Halloween in the middle of summer.

The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey team traded ice skates for rollerblades, weaving through the parade in black and purple jerseys that were likely stifling in the hot July sun.

The weather cooperated beautifully on the Fourth of July, providing a long-awaited reprieve from the rain, hail, and cloud-filled skies that characterized most of June.

Due to the recent weather and the state of the economy, many Islanders expected that this year’s Fourth would be quieter than most, but the bustling streets of Edgartown provided an observable contradiction.

“I think there were many more people along the parade route than there have been in previous years,” said parade organizer Fred B. (Ted) Morgan. Mr. Morgan has been involved with the Independence Day parade since 1966, when he was invited to participate as a reviewing officer.

“I love the Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s Independence Day, and I’m a very patriotic guy. I think it’s very important to recognize the day,” said Mr. Morgan, a World War II veteran. He and fellow members of the Edgartown American Legion Post 186 were responsible for organizing this year’s event.

The collective sense of patriotism was evident throughout the parade, from a blaring rendition of the national anthem drifting from a passing float to the swatches of red, white, and blue clothing bouncing through the crowds of spectators.

Parade traffic slowed as floats paused in front of the Old Whaling Church, allowing Edgartown selectmen to make considerations for the prizes of most patriotic and most original. As the hum of buzzing motorcycle engines passed, the procession stopped abruptly as a vintage car pulling the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders float stuttered and stalled. Several men jumped from the vehicle to assess the damage as the engine smoked, fluid leaking from the car.

“Get out of the way,” one man warned the crowd as they attempted to restart the vehicle. The nearest spectators pulled their children to a safer distance, but within minutes the anxious crowd cheered loudly as the engine roared to a start.

The Camp Jabberwocky float was the last in the parade, with elaborately costumed campers and counselors bringing meaning to the curious costumes from the parking lot at the Edgartown School. The marchers followed a deep-sea theme, dressed as different marine animals, and secured the Grand Prize in what is becoming a yearly tradition for Jabberwocky. “It seems that they do a really good job every year,” said Kristy Rose, assistant to the selectmen’s office. The Vineyard Nursing Association took the prize for most patriotic, for a float dripping with red, white and blue.

As the final fire engine turned the corner and pulled out of view, the people lining the streets began to disperse to bars and barbecues to pass the time before the famous fireworks display over the Edgartown Harbor. Private fireworks shows were visible up and down the harbor even before the darkness settled in. The town fireworks, sponsored by the Edgartown Board of Trade, began just after 9 p.m. against a cloudless black sky. The crowd marked the start of the fireworks display with a rendition of America the Beautiful, and several spectators agreed that live music would add just the right touch to the otherwise perfect event.

There should be music,” said Fran Freshman, who was celebrating her 44th wedding anniversary in conjunction with Independence Day. “The fireworks are very nice, but they need music,” she said, suggesting a live orchestra.

As people crowded the wooden railing overlooking the water at Memorial Wharf, a few impatient guests climbed the roped-off staircase and up to the wharf deck to steal a closer look. They were promptly escorted back down the stairs minutes later by a supervisor.

There didn’t seem to be a location close enough to the show to satisfy the awed crowd. “I wish I could be out on a boat, right out there underneath the fireworks,” said one wistful spectator to a friend. Elsewhere, children shouted ohhs and ahhs as the firecrackers exploded from a nearby barge. “Dad, this is cool! That one was a perfect circle!” exclaimed one little girl.

Cheers marked the grand finale, and several people bid each other a happy Fourth as the crowd scattered towards off towards their homes and cars.

“This is the first year she’s really bugged me about coming down,” said Rick Convery of his daughter, seven-year-old Amonda, who watched the display perched atop her father’s shoulders. “And I think it was her favorite time. It’s really a clear, beautiful night,” he said.