It’s a benefit bivalve banquet: come to the annual clambake and auction to raise money for the Vineyard Nursing Association, the Island’s only home health care agency, on Wednesday, July 23, at 6 p.m. at The Field Gallery in West Tisbury.

The Vineyard Nursing Association vigorously raises funds to compensate for the difference in cost of professional medical services provided in the home and the rate of reimbursement from Medicare and private insurers. This year, after taking over the entire patient load from the Vineyard Nursing Service which closed its doors on June 30, 2008, the need for support from the Island is even greater.

The traditional summer feast will be prepared by the Martha’s Vineyard Clambake Company with libations compliments of Our Market.

This year, bluegrass music from Train Wreck and a cappella by Vineyard Sound will fill The Field Gallery. Kenny Goldberg and Friends will provide entertainment and oversee the live and silent auctions. Auction items include art and jewelry from renowned Island artists, round trip tickets to New York, rounds of golf at all the Island’s golf courses, a dinner party for eight by V. Jamie Hamlin, 100 gallons of fuel, and much more.

Tickets are $125 per person or $900 per reserved table of eight. For tickets or other information on this event, call the Vineyard Nursing Association at 508-696-0785 or purchase tickets online at TicketsMV.com. Advanced reservations are suggested as this event sells out every year.