The Oyster Pond estate of Richard and Nancy Friedman is the setting for Water Tasting By The Sea on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The sprawling waterfront location was the summer White House for former President Bill Clinton. Richard and Nancy Friedman are well-known Island philanthropists.

Many Island restaurants and other businesses support the annual event by donating a diverse selection of gourmet foods and ice cold still and sparkling waters from around the world. Dee Smith of Tea Lane Caterers will supervise the food service and lively music will be provided by the Beetlebung Steel Band.

Silent auction highlights include a CB Stark diamond and gold Island pendant, dinner and an overnight stay at the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown, an original Allen Whiting oil painting, a vacation at the Dorado Resort in Puerto Rico, landcape design by Peggy Schwier and a fishing charter with Jennifer Clark out of Menemsha Harbor. Dozens of other items, from custom jewelry to an iPad3, will be part of the silent auction, and new this year will be a pie-of-the-month, every month for a year, from the Island’s new bakers, the Pie Chicks.

The Water Tasting raises funds for Vineyard House, the Island nonprofit that provides safe, sober, structured housing for Islanders in early recovery from substance abuse.

Tickets are $100, and are available online at vineyardhouse.org or by calling 508-693-8580.