One hundred and twenty five years ago, a group of up-Islanders celebrated the long-awaited incorporation of West Tisbury. On the night of the news, a band of revelers hung a senator in effigy, shot off Roman candles and marched to the Agricultural Hall. Then a meal was shared and Professor H.L. Whiting called on various speakers to address the crowd on plans for the new town.
On Saturday, 125 years later, a town picnic was held at the Agricultural Hall to commemorate that day. Nobody was hung in effigy this time.
More than 60 visitors from various towns came out on Saturday to eat, drink, socialize and race zucchinis. The day was organized by the same committee responsible for the town’s centennial celebration. Debbie Magnuson said they had planned to hold an event every year after the hundredth anniversary but 25 years breezed by.
Maggie’s Kitchen performed at the picnic. The group’s name is a reference to their humble beginnings. They started practicing in the kitchen of Margaret Skinner, the late wife of band member Jonathan Reynolds. Now that the group has grown in size, they have moved on to the living room.
Besides Mr. Reynolds, the band also includes Gail Croteau, Gail Stevenson, Ned Robinson-Lynch, Liz Bradley and Bob Hammond, as well as two guest members of The Flying Elbows, Paul Thurlow and Tom Hodgson.
Under the shade of a large tree, Karen Ogden held court at the vegetable car race table as she does every day of the Agricultural Fair. After seeing various vegetables affixed with wooden wheels sliding down a ramp at the Bolton County Fair, Ms. Ogden decided to bring the fun to the Island.
“There were some engineering details I wasn’t quite aware of,” Ms. Ogden said, including factors of variability such as the consistent width of the vegetables and the “sheer durability” of others. “Zucchinis have a great shape but fall apart in the sun,” she said.
The table was a hit with Joe Merry and his son Liam who battled a carrot, a zucchini and a sweet potato.
After more games were played and much watermelon was eaten, county commissioner John Alley briefly addressed the crowd. Mr. Alley described the origins of the town and how West Tisbury has remained “a hard-working, no-frills community.”
Tom Hodgson described the tradition of the West Tisbury musicale, or informal jam, that he inherited from the previous generation and has since hosted countless times. While he called West Tisbury pride a “granfalloon” he also admitted to being unable to live in any other town.
Based on the number of young children in the crowd, it appears that West Tisbury and the rest of the Island will continue to prosper. But change is also certain. “The Vineyard at every stage has been a very interesting place to live,” Mr. Hodgson said.
Rob Myers took an analytical approach to his favorite town. “I could scientifically prove that West Tisbury is the best town on the Island,” he said, while sitting on a picnic blanket with his family. “But of course I’m biased.”
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