On April 28, 1892, citizens of the newly-created town of West Tisbury marched by torchlight to the Agricultural Hall and held a meeting of jubilation, according to the Gazette archives. Until that date, the agricultural hamlet was a part of the town of Tisbury.

This weekend West Tisbury will celebrate its 125th birthday the old fashioned way, with a family picnic, potato sack races, and gallons of lemonade.

Starting at noon on Saturday, June 10, West Tisbury residents and friends of the town are invited to the Ag Hall for a bring-your-own-picnic lunch. Debbie Magnuson, one of the organizers and life-long West Tisbury resident, said the idea emerged from the town’s centennial 25 years ago. She sat on the committee for centennial festivities with Cynthia Walsh, who died in 2015.

“I realized every year after the centennial, Cynthia Walsh and I would see each other at the store and stuff and she said we have to plan something,” Ms. Magnuson said. “Then it came to be the 125th year and I thought, I’ve got to do something. Cynthia would be so proud.”

While the centennial was celebrated in all-out style, with a picnic, a parade, and a ball, this year’s event will be a little more understated.

“It’s just a community thing. Everyone should get together to see each other,” said Ms. Magnuson. West Tisbury is the type of town where everybody lends a helping hand if needed, she said.

John Alley will give a bit of background about town history and Fred Fisher will give hay rides. The picnic will be family friendly, but no dogs allowed. Commemorative picnic blankets can be purchased ahead of time at Conroy Apothecary and the Howes House, and reusable cups and frisbees will be given out at the event. People are asked to bring their own lunch and a dessert to share.

Ms. Magnuson said she plans to bring chocolate chip cookies.

“My husband says my cookies are too crispy, so I found a soft chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe online. It came out good, so I’m going to do another batch,” she said. “I can’t tell you how much butter is in it.”

Ms. Magnuson said she hopes the picnic will become an annual event.

“Not just a 25 years thing, because I won’t be here in the next 25 years,” she said.

The West Tisbury 125th anniversary town picnic is on Saturday, June 10 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ag Hall. The rain date is Sunday, June 11.