The Edgartown Fourth of July parade may look a lot different than when it started out in 1844, but 180 years later the sentiment remains the same. Islanders and visitors converged in town Thursday afternoon to celebrate Independence Day with gusto, humor and a whole lot of noise.    

The floats were out in force, from fire trucks and classic cars to the Scottish Society in kilts and playing the bagpipes to Camp Jabberwocky which decorated their red bus with a cardboard cut-out of the Olympic Rings. Campers dressed up as gymnasts, karate fighters and swimmers. One camper decorated a wheelchair to look like a kayak.     

Kian Stapleton, an 11 year old from Oak Bluffs, wore a shark fin hat while standing next to a cooler full of water.

“I’m going to use my water gun and squirt people,” Kian said before the parade began. “I’m excited to get people’s reactions.”

The parade route was packed with people standing, sitting, running, cheering and calling out for candy to be thrown from passing floats.

Veterans and local officials waved to passers-by, and Willy “Uncle Sam” Chu was dressed head-to-toe in stars and stripes attire. He and his family said they love the Edgartown parade so much that they rent a house on the Island for every Fourth of July.

Local businesses were also celebrating Independence Day in style. Alchemy Bistro & Bar was decked out with flags, bunting and paper lanterns to welcome guests for the holiday. General manager Jay Kuss said that outfitting the restaurant was a staff-wide effort.     

“It’s Americana at its finest,” Mr. Kuss said. “This place is second to none.”     

For many in the audience, the Fourth of July is a day of hope and unity. Kathy and David Jordan said they were excited to feel the spirit of the day with the rest of the Island community.     

“Hopefully, it’s the one day of the year when we can set aside our politics and just celebrate the country,” Mr. Jordan said.

But although Edgartown was the afternoon and evening epicenter, with the parade leading to the fireworks at dusk, it wasn’t the only game in town. Just after dawn, the Polar Bears started the day by gathering at Inkwell Beach.

The BIPOC-focused swimming collective christened its new season Thursday, and will meet every morning throughout the summer except Sundays.

Year-round Islanders, summer residents and visitors reunited as instructor Brenda Davenport prepared an aquatic workout routine to welcome everyone back.

Longtime Polar Bear Jackie Robinson arrived at Inkwell beach suited up and ready for a challenge.

“Every day that I’m on the Island and they’re in the water, I’m in the water,” Ms. Robinson said.

When Ms. Davenport waded into the water, the entire group joined her. Stragglers were coaxed by their fellow Polar Bears into the surf.

Some Polar Bears opted to swim laps between the jetties, but most gathered in a large circle and moved through an aerobics routine, counting the reps of each exercise in unison.

When a phase of the workout ended, the crowd would erupt with cheer.

The group is serious about community, but it’s also serious about getting their blood pumping before the day begins.

“What happened to our circle?” one instructor teased when swimmers started mingling between sets. Everyone quickly paddled back to their spots, laughing.

Later on in the morning, July Fourth celebrations centered around the Camp Ground for the annual children’s parade, which continues to grow since Gretchen Rehak and Pam Rogers started it over 20 years ago. The first year was just two families banging pots and pans up and down the street on a rainy day. Now the celebration draws hundreds of people decked out in red, white and blue to Oak Bluffs.

“It’s wonderful and very emotional seeing these beautiful families and children,” said Ms. Rehak. “It’s one of the few simple joys of the world.”

Judi Morse, who also lives in the Camp Ground, was excited to see how much the parade has grown. Ms. Morse has participated since her children, now fully grown, were little.

“It’s not the big boom of firecrackers. It’s just people, celebrating the day together,” Ms. Morse said.

Families walked or rode on decorated scooters and bicycles along the path from West Clinton avenue and around Trinity Circle. Some families decked out strollers and wagons with flags and streamers.

“We try to outdo ourselves every year,” Dirk Slagmolen said, while adding the final red, white and blue touches to the family’s stroller. He and his wife, Kristen Slagmolen, spend every summer on the Island. They brought their children Gabriella, Daniella and Loulla as well as their nephews William and Charlie to march in the parade.

“It’s nice to see the community come together,” Ms. Slagmolen said.

For some, it was their first year at the parade. The Coaxum family, who come from Atlanta to the Island every summer, joined the event after hearing about it at the beach.

“We wanted to celebrate earlier in the day,” said Kofi Coaxum. “It’s nice, it’s relaxed, and the cottages make a nice backdrop.”

Two-year-old Natalie rode a blue buggy for her first parade. She was brought by her grandmother Leslie Frezzell. They live in Oak Bluffs year-round.

“We walk through the campground every day all year,” Ms. Frezzell said. “I’m mostly here because of Natalie and supporting democracy as an adult.”

At noon at the Tabernacle approximately 30 speakers took turns reciting Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?

The tradition began 20 years ago, and is hosted by the Renaissance House each year. This was the first time it was held at the Tabernacle, with previous iterations taking place at Inkwell Beach.

Michael West has taken part for close to a decade. This year, he was given the first excerpt of the speech, setting the tone for the event.

“You feel like you’re part of a group who celebrates this kind of unification of black people, white people, Asian people, any kind of people,” Mr. West told the Gazette. “It sort of feels like a positive, vital force of energy.”

Abigail McGrath, founder of Renaissance House, gave opening remarks, along with Trish Hahn, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association.

Rene Alphonse was a first-time reader. As a seasonal resident, she said she was looking to be a part of something during the holiday. Ms. Alphonse and her family led the crowd in reciting the last portion of the speech.

“I’m just really excited that my kids can take part in something so historic, in a place that we cherish and that there are so many people of all walks of life that also are coming out and celebrating something that’s so important to our history as a nation.”

At the western edge of the Island, the 23rd annual Aquinnah Fourth of July Parade set off at 11 a.m., with dozens of residents gathered in star-spangled antique vehicles.

“It’s small town America to a T,” Jed Smith said. He attends the parade every year. His son, Clyde, rode by on a passing float.

Michael Sellitti Jr. was born and raised in Aquinnah and attends the parade every year.

“I more or less recognize all the faces that go by because I grew up here,” he said. “It’s short, its sweet, and you don’t have to kill yourself standing in the sun all day.”

Since 2018, Mr. Sellitti has worn an eye-catching romper patterned with the stars and stripes of the American flag. He said it “felt good to inspire positive energy."

The Outermost Inn, Tri-Town Ambulance and Aquinnah Fire Department were represented by floats, with staff showering the crowd with candy. Sgt. Paul G. Manning of the Aquinnah police department drove the town ATV.

For Katie and Jimmy Gould of Memphis, Tenn., Thursday morning was their first time at the Aquinnah town parade.

“It’s really charming. The kids are loving it,” Ms. Gould said.

“It’s 100 degrees in Memphis, and 73 here,” she added with a laugh.

Addison Antonoff, Noah Glasgow, Katrina Liu and Gwyn Skiles contributed reporting.