Under gray and drizzly skies, visitors decked out in rain boots and slickers turned out for Saturday’s Living Local Harvest Festival at the Agricultural Hall. The festival celebrated all things local with booths and lectures showcasing local food and educational programs.
The Island’s annual event was a day to celebrate fall, food and friends.
“It’s so focused on our community,” said Wren Robertson as she used watercolors to paint some favorite Island scenes with her four-year-old daughter. “It’s helping children learn more about their community so that they can become more active in it.”
For others, the festival offered a different view of the Island.
“It’s given me a good picture of Martha’s Vineyard,” said Zoe Babe, who was visiting from Pennsylvania. “I had no idea it was so noncommercial. These are the things I am looking for in a place to live or vacation.”
Ms. Babe discussed pepper growing problems with Ken Greene at the Hudson Seed Library’s booth, while Albert Lattanzi served up some wild food, and beach plum gelato, next door. In just one sampling of dozens of booths, Felix Neck sold books and offered samples of fruit leather made from foraged wild grapes, Offshore Ale poured local brews and root beer and Island Grown Schools shared their mission.
Outside, pumpkin carving stations were set up for making jack-o’-lanterns while alpacas Atticus Rex and Mozart looked on. Local musicians provided the soundtrack as the audience sat on hay bales eating lunch from various vendors. Later, the festival’s first ever open mic session welcomed musicians to perform on an open stage, a new addition to this year’s lineup. The music was followed by a community supper.
As always, the festival was a no-waste event with ample recycling and composting receptacles available to keep the grounds, and the Island, clean.
More photos: Fall, Food and Friends at Living Local Festival.
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