Erin Ready, the vibrant and hands-on executive director of the Edgartown Board of Trade, plays a central role in cultivating Edgartown’s lively business environment and thriving tourism. With a dedicated board of seven and the support of volunteers, Erin leads every detail of a year-round calendar of events designed to foster Edgartown’s economic vitality. Through Erin’s efforts, signature events such as the spring Porchfest, the summer Edgartown Village Market, the Bass in the Grass art fundraiser and the ever-popular Christmas in Edgartown showcase the town’s history and charm, support local enterprise and enhance the experience for everyone who visits or calls Edgartown home.

Erin and her now-husband Sean Ready met at the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduation, Erin joined him on Martha’s Vineyard to build on his established family business with the opening of the Edgartown Meat & Fish Market in the summer of 2011.

I caught up with Erin to discuss her role with the Edgartown Board of Trade, her inspiration, and how she finds time to enjoy the special holiday weekend with a young family and a local business to tend to as well.

Q. Tell me about your first impressions of the Vineyard as a born and bred California girl.

A. In 2008, I came here on vacation with Sean’s family, but unfortunately I fell ill. So I spent the entire week in a house in Katama. I only mention it because, at the time, I thought the little airfield in Katama was the main airport! So when Sean suggested we move to Martha’s Vineyard, I pictured my home on an Island with tiny planes and a grass runway.

Q. I love that story! That’s so quaint!

A. Obviously I figured it out and we moved here in 2011 and were married at the Old Whaling Church in 2012. Since then, we’ve expanded into three businesses: here, Nantucket’s Meat & Fish Market and a location in Hilton Head, South Carolina. We opened a new business with the birth of each of our three children!

Q. You were instrumental in bringing the Edgartown Village Market to town on Tuesdays in the summer, and it is a wonderful addition to the Island market culture.

A. Yes, thank you. While we do try to leave our partners alone in their busy season, something we heard from our membership is the need for an in-town market of our own. The farmers’ market at the Ag Hall and the artisan festival at the Grange Hall have their own identities. And we worked to create our own – a curated mesh of both arts and crafts and farmers to allow Edgartown residents to walk into town, provision, and well, see friends and neighbors! It has been especially well-received by Chappy residents.

Q. The scarcity of parking in Edgartown is a big part of the summer conversation.

A. Yes, it is an identifiable problem, and it’s our job to be a part of the solution by educating people about other places you can park. People are not taking advantage of the shuttle (from The Triangle), and we need to let people know how quickly you can walk from the Edgartown School and that it’s a lovely way to experience our Main street. We’re hoping that the Edgartown master plan will address that.

Q. What’s something about Edgartown that people don’t really realize — one really cool, more hidden aspect?

A. What I’ve come to really appreciate is that anyone can show up in Edgartown and get a sense of what a special historical place it is from the impressiveness of the [Old] Whaling Church to our beautiful Main street which goes right down to the stunning harbor. What I think is important is the care that goes on behind the scenes to maintain the beauty and historical integrity of Edgartown, thanks to the municipality and residents who volunteer to serve on those oversight boards.

Q. Christmas in Edgartown is just about upon us. Tell me a little bit about the history of this incredible weekend.

— Jeanna Shepard

A. This event started 43 years ago when Carol Fligor and a couple of the other shopkeepers put up some decorations and began programming a weekend on a really small scale to support the brick-and-mortar businesses in town. It’s been volunteer-driven since it started. And since that first effort, the mission has expanded beyond economics into a weekend of charitable events!

Q. What are you looking forward to this year?

A. Donaroma’s is bringing back their magical Evening of Enchantment – now more focused on kids – on Thursday evening. And we will be building on last year’s success of bringing the Edgartown Village Market into the Village Green on Saturday, providing a central location post-parade to stop, have a bite to eat and continue on your merry way! The beverage sales from the Village Market benefit Amity Island Running Club and the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. One thing we’ve improved upon is offering more places to eat and drink throughout the day; we worked very closely with the town hall to make sure that restaurants had the option to expand their seasonal liquor license.

Q. How many organizations will benefit from the weekend of events?

A. This year I think I can count 30 to 40 for whom we will provide a non-profit platform. New this year is The Holly and Ivy Holiday Ball at the Harbor View [Hotel] to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. The annual Handmade from the Heart artisan fair to benefit Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV) returns to the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. The Plum Hill School Annual Elves Faire is an amazing children’s fair at the Federated Church. The Edgartown School is setting up what I think is their 45th Maker’s Fair in the gymnasium to benefit the eighth grade class trip. I feel like we’ve done a great job finding a place for everyone. And some of the longest and most traditional events are really mission-driven.

Q. With all you have on your plate, are you able to step back and savor the magic of the weekend with your family?

A. It’s awesome, I love it. It’s the day when I finally have a little street cred with my kids when we are the first to meet Santa when he gets off the truck. It makes the hard work really worth it to see it through their eyes. I get emotional just thinking about it.

Q. Once Christmas in Edgartown is in the rearview mirror, what’s the off-season like for you and your husband raising a young family on the Island?

A. It’s great. It’s community focused. You take the time to do small family things, whether it’s learning to skate at the rink or art classes at Featherstone [Center for the Arts]. And hopefully getting off the Island to take a trip or two to see family. My kids are in the great montessori school program, and it’s nice to spend time with the communities we are a part of year-round.

 

Sissy Biggers lives in Oak Bluffs and is the Q&A columnist for The Vine.