Vineyard Braces for Holiday

By MANDY LOCKE

With Fourth of July falling in the middle of this coming
week, predictions about when the great surge of holiday visitors
will reach the Island are as uncertain as forecasting Vineyard
weather. Everyone speculates, but it's a matter of wait-and-see.

With American flags and banners waving in gentle breezes
from homes and businesses this week, Islanders appear ready for
the coming of the holiday that unofficially opens the high
summer season.

Innkeepers, restaurant managers and other business owners
received hints about travel plans of Vineyard-bound visitors
through reservations. And the verdict is: There is no clear
pattern.

Derek Tipton, general manager of Island Inn in Oak Bluffs,
shows logs of a slow midweek and a heavy second weekend. "It's a
little lighter on the first part of the week," he said.

But Marjorie Edwards in reservations at the Edgartown
Harborside Inn said both of her weekends are booked, with people
staying over until Tuesday or Wednesday from the first weekend.

Others use the power of positive thinking and hope for a
rush through the week.

"Ideally the first group will come on Friday and stay the
rest of the week," said Stuart Myers, manager of David Ryan's
Restaurant and Cafe in Edgartown.

But week-long Independence Day holidays are a trend of the
past, according to some business owners, even if the holiday
falls in the middle of the week.

"Very rarely do people take a full week. When it falls on a
Wednesday, it's bad news," said Bud Raymond, manager of Zephrus
restaurant at the Tisbury Inn. Mr. Raymond notices the bulk of
his holiday traffic reservations are tied to the first weekend.

Bob Wilcoxson, manager of Cutler Bikes in Edgartown, said
that this holiday is a guessing game. "You just don't know what
day people will get off for the holiday. Some might get a Friday
or Monday to tag on to a weekend," he said, noting that
reservations have been coming in for both weekends.

Amy Coffey, office manager for Mad Max sailing cruises in
Edgartown, said they are running nearly full catamaran trips
right now. And the phone rang off the wall this week to secure
spots on cruises during both weekends. The Independence Day
fireworks cruise is almost sold out.

Cape Air reports heavy bookings in the days ahead. Passenger
numbers for the first weekend are running ahead of reservations
for the following weekend. Not many vacationers are flying in
during the week, according to Colin Ewing, station manager for
Cape Air.

One major difference Mr. Ewing noticed this season is the
surge in passengers using Providence instead of Boston as a
launching pad for commuter flights to the Vineyard.

"The word is out that Logan is not the best place to go
through. Providence has all that they need," Mr. Ewing said.
Cape Air responded with more service to and from Providence.

With murmurs about a soft Island economy this season, the
business community shows some concern about the size of holiday
crowds and the length of visitor stays.

"Last year was busier. I think the split weekend is the
cause of it," Ms. Edwards said.

"It seems slow, but we say that every year. By August, we'll
probably be saying it was a good season," Mr. Wilcoxson said.

Ms. Coffey said she is pleased by the number of reservations
they've received so far.

Regardless of when visitors arrive and depart this holiday,
Edgartown is gearing up in red, white and blue fashion for the
annual parade and fireworks display.

"We're having the usual, just more of it," said Fred B.
Morgan Jr., Edgartown selectman and master of ceremonies for the
event. Floats, cars, fire trucks and veterans will take their
typical spots in the parade march.

"It's not an Edgartown parade. It's an Island parade," Mr.
Morgan said, extending a welcome to any and all Island residents
and visitors.

In addition to the parade and fireworks display, the town
will host two concerts in the Old Whaling Church during the day.
The Bay State Band will perform at 2 p.m. Wednesday and the
Vineyard Haven Band will begin at 7:30 that evening. The
Edgartown fire department and the American Legion will offer
refreshments to spectators and participants after the parade.

At nightfall, attention will turn to the waterfront along
the Edgartown harbor for the grand fireworks display above the
lighthouse.

"It ends up looking like stars over the harbor," Ms. Coffey
remembered the harbor full of boats.

Everyone from police officers and retail workers to
restaurant staff is prepared to pull double duty so guests may
enjoy the best of the Island with ease.

"Enjoy what we have to offer, but be respectful of people
who live here," said Lieut. David Roberts of the Oak Bluffs
police department as a reminder to visiting crowds who are
already here or are about to arrive for the long Fourth of July
holiday ahead.