Beverly Wright, former chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and current Aquinnah selectman, remembers when Cranberry Day lasted for three days and off-Island tribal members would come to the Vineyard to participate.
She can remember riding on an oxcart to the Aquinnah cranberry bogs, going down dirt paths that no longer exist and cutting across back roads before Lighthouse Road was paved.
Even years later, the excitement of Cranberry Day remains.
“It went great, it was a good Cranberry Day,” Ms. Wright said enthusiastically while setting up for the potluck dinner at the Aquinnah town hall that included all in the community on Tuesday night. “It’s great for all of the kids to come down and do something as a part of our tradition.”
A traditional celebration that is unique to the Gay Head Wampanoags, Cranberry Day is symbolic of the harvest and the change from summer to winter for the Native American people here. The day includes an actual harvest of the wild cranberries that still grow in the sandy bogs of this tiny town in the westernmost reaches of the Island. It concludes with a community potluck supper, a full spread that includes turkeys, hams and, of course, cranberry relish.
Although they had been out in the bogs all day on Tuesday, few cranberry pickers showed signs of growing tired as tribal children and friends raced around the Aquinnah town hall before the feast began. Adults complained of sunburns while the smaller kids napped on shoulders before the dinner began.
Jason Baird, the tribe’s medicine man, led the community in a prayer circle. As everyone gathered to link hands and bow heads, Mr. Baird alternated between Wopanaak and English, thanking the creator for providing the bounty of a fall harvest and best wishes for companionship during the winter.
“It’s all about the kids,” Mr. Baird said as he carved a ham following the prayer circle. “It’s a time for family to be together.”
Nanauwe Vanderhoop, 11, had her plate piled high, and remembered the cranberry picking fondly.
“I like getting to see all the people there that I don’t see every day,” she said.
June Manning perched on the stage overlooking a room full of conversation and laughter. She said she was happy to have spent the day with her youngest grandchildren and her son.
“It was nice and sunny with lots of families represented,” Ms. Manning said. “I can’t wait to go back.”
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