With Illumination Night, the Agricultural Fair and Oak Bluffs fireworks all on the docket, this week marks the high point of traditional summer events on Martha’s Vineyard. It all begins at sundown tonight, with the 150th Grand Illumination.
Grand Illumination Night has been a summer staple on Martha's Vineyard since 1869, when the first event was held in honor of the visiting governor of Massachusetts. After sundown on the third Wednesday in August, lanterns of all kinds cast a magical glow over the charming gingerbread cottages at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Ground.
For 2021, Grand Illumination will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle with an introduction and the Vineyard Haven Band.
Stars sparkled, pink and gold and orange lanterns bobbed, and a soft wind played among the chimes in the Camp Ground Wednesday night for the 104th annual Illumination Night.
