Editors, Vineyard Gazette;

The Oak Bluffs Association (OBA) wants to send out a huge thank you to all the people, families, businesses and members of the OBA who made Light Up Oak Bluffs so special this year. Truly a great time was had by all; we couldn’t have had more fun!

Special thanks to Brian Weiland, music teacher from the Oak Bluffs School, and Jessica Johns, the art teacher, and their students for the holiday sing-along and art display in the Corner Store window. And thanks to Corner Store owner Luke DeBettencount.

Big thanks go to Kevin Brennan and the Oak Bluffs Fireman’s Association, the entire Oak Bluffs police department and the town of Oak Bluffs.

The Healey Square tree was ordered and picked up at Mahoney’s, thanks to Richard Combra and the Oak Bluffs highway department, who also lights up everywhere Mark Crossland doesn’t. What a team! And special thanks to Mark Crossland for the outstanding lighting in the town, the Ocean Park display and the Sunset Lake tree. And sponsoring the carriage rides was a most special addition to the Oak Bluffs celebration this year.

Thank you to Santoro Hospitality for supplying the hot chocolate ingredients and set up, and Nina’s at The Ritz for making and delivering the cocoa to the tree lighting.

Thank you to Erin Tiernan for her version of Ms. Claus and her candy canes that never disappoint. Thanks to Island Outfitters’ elves, Sofie Green and Ashley Rohlfing, who helped Santa by collecting children’s wish lists mail in a special Santa mailbox and also assisting in photo ops out by the tree and giving out bags of reindeer treats.

Thanks to Rose Guerin and Sean McMahon for caroling in Healey Square prior to Santa arriving on the firetruck.

We thank Kathleen Cowley and Lisa Knight for organizing the reindeer games in Ocean Park and Enchanted Chocolates for the abundance of chocolate covered pretzels that were pure magic!

Thanks to Rockland Trust, especially Jason Mead, for the light-up necklaces and the freshly-popped popcorn.

A huge thank you to Bruce, Laura and Charlotte Marshard at Sonnyside Rides, along with Texas and Tim, the lovely black percherons.

Thanks to Larkin Stallings and The Ritz for hot cocoa and also sponsoring the carriage rides. Big hugs to Renee Balter for carrying on this event over the years with the OBA and switching on the lights!

Thank you to our trusty volunteers at the hot cocoa table: Holly Alaimo, Lani Goldthorp, Phyllis Kuykendall and Karen Johnson.

Thank you to the Capers for opening The Strand Theatre for the Oak Bluffs Holiday Open Market and the free movie for the kids!

Thank you to Juice by the Sea for goodies and treats and Winston’s kitchen.

Oak Bluffs was hopping and Santa was jolly as ever this year thanks to Everett Hoag. This is what a community looks like when we come together. 

Thank you all so much. We look forward to an even bigger and better Light Up Oak Bluffs next year.

Apologies to anyone not mentioned above. Just know you are appreciated by the OBA. It takes a village and we have a great one!  

If you’d like to get involved in events or join the OBA, visit obamv.com or email oakbluffsassociation@gmail.com.

Billie Jean Sullivan

Oak Bluffs

The writer is executive director of the Oak Bluffs Association.