Folks have exclaimed that the Chappy Ferry vehicle waiting lines these days haven’t been this long in the last 30 years. That is somewhat true and it can be attributed to many activities. Generally, there are more service vehicles making daily trips to Chappy. This is also the beginning of the July 4th weekend so there are a whole lot more folks scurrying around. You can expect long lines starting midmorning. However, early in the morning, there are usually only half a dozen cars in line and, coincidentally, that’s also the quietest time at the grocery store. Plans to re-establish the Simpson Lane webcams are in the works.
The busiest summers for the Chappy Ferry were back in the 1980s. Every day, seven days a week, by mid-morning, the Edgartown line would be out to Pease’s Point Way and stay that way until late afternoon. On the Chappy side, starting in the early afternoon, the line would extend all of the way back to the Chappy Beach Club. The majority of that traffic was beachgoers. If dark clouds appeared on the horizon, those folks would head for home all at once.
If you are coming on foot to the Vineyard by ferry, I highly recommend that ferry should be the Pied Piper Ferry. Think of all the time you will save by not driving to the big ferry to pick up your spouse or house guests. Pied Piper is now operating on the summer daily schedule. The last trip to Edgartown on Fridays leaves Falmouth at 6:30 p.m. Last trip out of Edgartown on Sunday is at 6:15 p.m. Google falmouthedgartownferry to book tickets on line.
Edgartown Seafood, run by Chappy’s own Dimattia brothers, is now delivering to the Chappy Ferry. Call 508-627-3791 after 10 a.m.
Vehicle service on the Chappy Ferry is curtailed by the July 4th festivities. In simplest terms, vehicles will not be carried between 4:15 and 6:30 p.m. due to the parade nor between 8:15 and 10:30 p.m. due to the fireworks. Passengers will be carried all of the time except between 9:15 and 9:45 p.m. when the fireworks display is actually going on. As always, dial 911 for emergencies requiring the ambulance, the hospital emergency room, the police or the fire department.
If the festivities are postponed due to inclement weather, all of that will happen on the following day. As of Wednesday morning, thunder storms were predicted for Saturday afternoon.