The 38th annual Taste of the Vineyard commenced Thursday night, with 1,200 attendees enjoying samplings from the Vineyard’s best food and drink establishments.
In their best florals and summer colors, people flocked to the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown to try the fare from more than 80 vendors to raise money for the Vineyard Preservation Trust.
The taste is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year. The Trust owns and manages 20 historic sites across the Island, including Flying Horses, Grange Hall and Union Chapel.
Bringing people together to support an important cause makes the event exciting, said executive director Nevette Previd, noting the “multi-generational dimension” of attendees.
“People want to come back together after a winter... from every corner of the Island, they’re splashing out, dressed for success, put their dance shoes on just to hang out,” Ms. Previd said. “There’s so many nonprofits on the Island and we’re very fortunate that this is such a success and something that people look forward to.”
Events and cultivation manager Julie Hatt credited the success of the event to the vendors.
“This wouldn’t happen without [the vendors],” Ms. Hatt said. “I organize all this, but they’re the star. They donate their time and this is them giving to us.”
Head pastry chef Deva Randolph was hosting a table with Behind The Bookstore for the third year.
“It’s been fun,” Ms. Randolph said as attendees picked up some mini croissants from the table. “It’s always a learning experience. You get to interact with everyone, which is awesome.”
She highlighted the restaurant’s New York-style vanilla cheesecake that’s on the restaurant’s dinner menu and her family recipe for a Mississippi.
“Something that’s really special about the Mississippi mud cake is that it’s a cake that we used to make for my mom’s birthday every year,” Ms. Randolph said. “So I’ve been able to bring it and share it with everyone.”
Other bites showcased at the event were ceviche from The Barn Bowl & Bistro, aperol spritzes from Rosewater Market and serrano ham croquettes from Buckley’s Catering.
Music from The Sultans brought everyone out on the dance floor as they serenaded the crowd with hits old and new, from Dancing Queen by ABBA to Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon.
Being the trust’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Ms. Previd hoped Taste would encourage more engagement with the organization’s core mission.
“My job is to open the doors,” she said. “This [event] has been an intentional part of our growth. Our plan is making sure that we are available to the community. And so this is just a good start to it.”
On Saturday, the Patrons’ Party and Auction was held at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House to raise money for historic preservation.
Auction items included a Fourth of July party at Norton Boathouse, Taylor Swift concert tickets, a trip to Scotland and a murder mystery dinner at the Union Chapel. The trust’s goal of $1.2 million raised across the weekend was surpassed.
“I’m so thankful of how generous everyone was, especially because we were honoring the Union Chapel,” Ms. Previd said. “It’s such a gorgeous and meaningful building to the Island and the money will go directly towards a bunch of things, like accessibility to the building.”
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