A commission to designate 1,000 great places in Massachusetts was signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick on Jan. 15, 2009. Its mission was to identify and recognize 1,000 truly special places in the commonwealth, in order to celebrate pride in our history and culture, increase knowledge of our natural surroundings, and encourage regional and international tourism.

Among the 1,000 great places awarded the designation, 21 are on the Vineyard. They include the African American Heritage Trail, Alley’s General Store, Cape Pogue Lighthouse, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Field Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Flying Horses Carousel, Gay Head Cliffs at Aquinnah, Gingerbread Cottages and Tabernacle, Indian Burial Ground, Long Point, Martha’s Vineyard bike paths, Menemsha harbor, Norton Point, Ocean Park, Polly Hill Arboretum, Sengekontacket Pond, Shenandoah and Alabama tall ships, South Beach, Tuck and Holand metal sculpture, Vineyard Haven harbor, and Wasque Beach.

An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. aboard the Alabama to acknowledge the honorees. The Alabama will be docked at the Black Dog Wharf in Vineyard Haven. Representatives of these great Vineyard places will be presented with a special certificate issued by the governor. Cape and Islands Rep. Tim Madden will be in attendance to present the certificates.