The 162nd Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair came to a close on Sunday, bringing an end to four days of carnival favorites, Island eats and face time with furry barnyard friends.
On Thursday, when the 162nd Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair opened at 10 a.m., people streamed through the gates, admiring livestock, pets and poultry of all sizes, enjoying rides, and sipping pickle lemonade.
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society has chosen a painting by Traeger di Pietro as the winning entry for this year's fair poster contest. The 162nd annual agricultural fair takes place August 15 to 18.
Some came for the rides, others the food, many spent their time with the animals, competed in tests of skill and endurance, or put their prize tomatoes on the line with ribbons and pride at stake.
The 161st Agricultural Fair opened Thursday morning in West Tisbury, a tradition that dates back to 1858. Nearly 2,000 people attended that first fair, which was held for one day on October 27, 1858, the traditional harvest season.
The 161st edition of the Agricultural Fair takes place Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20. Planning begins in October, when organizers from the Agricultural Society meet for a debrief and begin reserving slots on the Steamship Authority ferry.
