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Activities, Events, Families, Shopping

Christmas in Edgartown

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Help ring in the Christmas season while at the same time participating in a Vineyard tradition. Christmas in Edgartown is a weekend full of festivities, and of course shopping, which is guaranteed to get everyone in your family into the holiday spirit!

The weekend starts with the lighting of the Edgartown lighthouse. Come enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while listening to music provided by The Contemporary Music Center. After the lighting bundle up for a hayride through the decorated streets of Edgartown.

The fun continues into Saturday, which is filled with activities for all ages. Whether you get your picture taken with Santa, with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Martha’s Vineyard or sinning along to the Minnesingers Holiday Family Concert the day will filled  making holiday memories.

There are many more activities that go into Sunday evening. If your looking for a weekend getaway, or just want to bundle up and hop the ferry for a day trip, come experience all that Christmas in Edgartown has to offer!

Martha's Vineyard, Shopping

Wampum: A Vineyard Tradition

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The beauty of Martha’s Vineyard is not only captured in the picturesque cliffs of Aquinnah or in a Menemsha sunset but also in the shell of a Quahog clam. Wampum, which was first created by the Wampanoag Tribe of Martha’s Vineyard, has held great historical significance to islanders and visitors alike. The deep purple beads and jewelry formed from shells are just another way the natural beauty of the island is being celebrated and preserved.

Cutting out disks of color from the shell created the beads and only a few beads could be formed from each shell. Originally, Wampum was used as a form of oral tradition among the tribe. Belts were created to help to pass on the history of the tribe and certain patterns had the potential to declare peace or initiate war.

Today, the beauty of wampum is captured in jewelry found in various stores around the island.  Whether you are buying your first piece of wampum jewelry, giving a gift or adding to your own personal collection, Wampum is a great way to take the beauty and history of Martha’s Vineyard home with you.

Activities, Edgartown, Events, Families, Food, Kids, Martha's Vineyard, MV Rentals, Oak Bluffs, Quiet Getaways, Shopping, Vineyard Beaches, Vineyard Towns

Village Spotlight: Edgartown

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Image courtesy of asterix611

Before Martha’s Vineyard was an extraordinary summer vacation destination, it was a whaling industry mecca. And, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Edgartown was the whaling hub.

Built around the whaling trade, hundreds of whaling captains constructed beautiful, stately homes in the center of town – along with the picturesque Whaling Church – and today they provide the refined and historical look of the town.

Mainstreet and the close-knit downtown area is full of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, movie theater – along old brick sidewalks. True to the Vineyard, you won’t find any box stores or chains – this is shopping at its one-of-a kind best.

Make sure you make your way down to the harbor…full of beautiful boats and one of the most gorgeous lighthouses I’ve ever seen, the Edgartown Lighthouse, of course.

But, on those sunny days, I suggest you hightail it out of town and head to the beach. You have a few to choose from, but my top picks are:

  • South Beach (surf side) for great waves out in Katama (pronounced Kuh-TAY-muh). Katama is part of Edgartown and it features its own bay and a super beachy feel.
  • State Beach (sound side) is a great kids beach because you can wade right in without worrying about big waves. Also, the trip from car to towel is pretty short which I know is important when you’ve got little ones.

The bike path goes right through town, out to the beach or lets you explore miles of the island through towns and the state forest. Oh, and if you head up-island on the bike trail, make sure to stop at Morning Glory Farm – a wonderful local farm filled with just picked produce, salads, soups and luscious baked goods.

Edgartown is also home to some huge fundraising galas every summer – a great place to really get to know the community and give back to this special island. The most famous, perhaps, is the Possible Dreams Auction where incredible dreams are donated and auctioned off to the highest bidder – all to benefit Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.

Edgartown has the best of both worlds – the hustle and bustle of town and the soulful quiet of the waterfront…