Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival

This September 10-14, the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival takes the island by storm once again. This festival is on par with Sundance for bringing cutting edge independent films to our communities. Talks and events planned throughout the festival give the community access to film directors, actors, writers and more, while providing a platform for conversation and dialog surrounding the films’ varied, controversial and thought-provoking topics.

This years films include: FLOW (For Love of Water) which has aired at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions as an eye-opening look at the Earth’s water crisis; Blindsight about six blind Tibetan teenagers climbing Everest; and, Beyond the Call about three men who travel the world right up to the front lines of war doing good deeds.

Check out this video coverage of last year’s festival from Plum TV:

Autumn on Martha’s Vineyard

The Vineyard is absolutely a summer destination – with 21 beaches to enjoy, countless ponds, clam shack, ice cream, and on and on. But September and October are truly special months to be on island.

  1. Warm Days, Cool Nights. And the humidity is gone. Some days are still prime for the beach, reaching up into the 80’s, but it’s different because you know it won’t be a scorcher, just a warmer. It’s perfect sleeping weather.
  2. Crowds? What Crowds? Of course there are still people here (lest we forget the 15,000 of us that live here year ‘round), but the traffic is thinned, the beaches aren’t packed, the restaurants are accessible, the harbors are more spacious…
  3. Sales! That’s right, the summer stocks must go. Many of the stores on the island have sales on clothes, housewares and other goodies up to 75% off. Also, you can get first looks at the fall lines – though these are decidedly not on sale!
  4. Views of Nature. We experience all 4 seasons on this island. Every view changes – daily, almost hourly, but certainly seasonally. Different flowers bloom, leaves change colors, the huckleberry bushes turn a deep purple (like the branches are pooling their purpleness for next summer’s berries), the water is a different shade of blue-green as the light changes in the sky.
  5. Events. The Wine and Food Festival, the Fall Harvest Festival, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and on and on…things are still hoping on this island!
  6. Rental rates are down. After August, house rental rates decrease dramatically. It’s a great time to find your own little corner of the island.

What to do With Kids on Rainy Vineyard Days

Whether you’re here for the weekend or for the summer, rainy days do not need to mean being stuck in the house with bored kids and cabin fever. There are lots of great activities to do with your kids whether it’s lightly drizzling or you’ve got a daylong downpour.

It’s safe to assume that you’ll encounter a rainy day or two here on the Vineyard so be sure to pack rain gear for everyone – as well as books and a deck of cards. While everyone loves a day at the beach, families can have a great day spending time reading together (aloud or individually) or playing games – especially when you’ve had day after day of bright sunshine, this can be a relaxing break. Many vacation rentals come equipped with a bunch of games, but be sure to ask or bring your own.

If it’s somewhat wet, but not a total washout, it’s a great day for hiking on one of the many trails on the island. Put on the raincoats and boots and head to Cedar Tree Neck or the trails of Trustees of the Reservation and get the kids involved in the beautiful natural world here.

If it’s really pouring, travel to one of the town libraries to find new books or rent movies. Each town has it’s own library with great kid’s sections and most with extensive free movie rental. Town libraries have different hours so look up yours ahead of time. Also check to see what events they have going on for kids that day. There are often story times posted at each town library: Chilmark Library, Edgartown Library, Oak Bluffs Library, Vineyard Haven Library, West Tisbury Library, and Aquinnah Library (508-645-2314),

If renting movies and getting out the popcorn is your thing then Island Entertainment (508-693-7441) in Vineyard Haven also has a huge selection of movie rentals for the whole family. With everything from classics to new releases to cult and foreign films, you’re sure to find something to please even your family movie-buff. Hollywood Video (508-627-3533) in Edgartown’s Post Office Square also has a great selection and great rental rates.

If you are an arts & crafts family than a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to get down and be creative. Shirley’s Hardware in Vineyard Haven has a great selection of craft items from glue sticks to glitter and pipe cleaners to paper. There’s also Beadnicks (508-693-7650) off Main Street in Vineyard Haven where the beader in your family will think they’ve entered heaven. The shop’s mantra is “Don’t Worry, Bead Happy.” Sold individually and by weight, this huge selection of beads can be thrilling or somewhat overwhelming. Luckily there’s plenty of staff on hand to help you choose your beads and they’ll even sit down and help your kids create their masterpieces.

Rainy Day matinees are a tradition on Martha’s Vineyard. On sunny days, you won’t find a matinee anywhere on the island but on rainy days there’s usually at least one or two showings. There’s no rhyme or reason for which of the four movie theaters on the island will offer which movie but call 508-627-MOVY as one of them is sure to be showing something kid friendly.

Best of all? Martha’s Vineyard boasts some of the most breathtaking rainbows I’ve ever seen. So, when the rain does clear and you see that Vineyard sun poking through the clouds, make sure to go outside and look towards the sky.