The colors of spring will be blooming in more than just flower beds this weekend, as the Edgartown Board of Trade hosts the fourth annual Pink & Green Weekend. The festive event, which will take over the town from Thursday through Sunday, will feature activities, specials, and spectacles for people of all ages, and serves as a celebration of spring and Mother’s Day.
“Pink & Green Weekend is Edgartown Board of Trade’s way of shaking off the gray of winter and getting Islanders, visitors, and business owners ready for a great spring and summer season,” says committee chair Sydney Mullen.
The festivities commenced with the decorating of the Edgartown lighthouse. Draped in pink and green streamers, the Edgartown landmark is looking as fresh and festive as a spring bouquet.
Tying in with the Martha’s Vineyard Wine Fest, which is also happening across Edgartown this weekend, the Pink & Green festival will kick off on Thursday, May 7, with a Rosé Reception at the Harbor View Hotel. There will be ample opportunities all weekend long to sip on theme-colored spirits at locations throughout town. On Friday, Chesca’s will host the Martha’s Vineyard Wine Fest’s “Real Men Drink Pink” tasting, and a weekend-long pub crawl will give visitors a chance to sample some creative cocktails specially concocted for the event. Many of Edgartown’s restaurants and pubs, including Alchemy, Among the Flowers, the Atlantic, The Dunes, Henry’s, Isola, Lucky Hank’s, the Newes, the Grill on Main, Sharky’s, the Terrace, Water Street, and the Wharf, will participate.
There will also be plenty of family-friendly activities as well. Donaroma’s — famous for putting on a spectacular show — is sure to dazzle again this year with their Cirque du Pink and Green on Friday, May 8, from 4 to 6pm. You can always count on the Donaroma’s team to combine decorations, activities, refreshments, and, of course, bounties of spring flora, for a full-on multisensory experience. Mariko Kawaguchi of Donaroma’s promises lots of kids’ activities, a raffle, refreshments, a ringmaster, and assorted critters. Janice Donaroma is credited with initiating the pink and green Mother’s Day theme, which was eventually adopted and expanded by the Board of Trade.
“It’s our busiest season,” says Ms. Kawaguchi. “Everybody’s got a mom. Mothers always like to watch things grow. There’s nothing like gifting Mom with a living thing.” If you can’t make it to the party on Friday, stop by anytime over the weekend, when the spring splendor will still be on display.
Other fun activities for kids include an herb-pot decorating party at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on Saturday morning, a family open house with refreshments at the Edgartown National Bank on Saturday, and a Baby Buggy Parade on Sunday morning at 9:45 am, where kids are invited to decorate their bikes, wagons, or strollers and parade from the mini-park to the village green.
Pooches too can dress to impress. Lighthouse Properties will sponsor a Pink & Green Dog Show on Saturday from noon to 1 pm, starting at the mini-park in downtown Edgartown. Not just for poodles: Even a pit bull can pull off a pink tutu for the day.
On Saturday night from 7 to 11, relive your high school memories at the Harbor View Hotel, the setting for the first annual Pink & Green Prom. Fashion competition encouraged, as there will be a crowning of the Prom King and Queen. Photographer David Welch will be on hand to capture those special prom memories with the help of a photo booth, and guests will be able to show off their dancing skills to the tunes of DJ Rockwell. The party will continue after the prom at the Atlantic.
On Sunday, there’ll be plenty of spots to take Mom out to brunch. Harbor View will host a grand Mother’s Day brunch, where the winners of the Mom of the Year essay contest will be announced. Other restaurants offering special Mother’s Day brunches as part of Pink & Green include Lucky Hanks, Among the Flowers, Détente (offering a Martha’s Vineyard Wine Fest Bloody Mary Brunch), the Terrace at the Charlotte Inn and the Dunes at the Winnetu, which will include music, a rose for Mom and special activities for kids. We all know the best mom’s gift ever is a relaxing meal with a break from the kids. (Other restaurants on-Island offering Mother’s Day brunches are Lola’s, Slice of Life, and Farm Neck, and Art Cliff will reopen too!)
Throughout the weekend, you can take advantage of lots of special sales and grab complimentary snacks (like Murdick’s Fudge) at a variety of local businesses. A number of Edgartown realtors will also be hosting open houses.
“The Edgartown Board of Trade is committed to helping businesses extend the shoulder season,” says Ms. Mullen, “And this is a colorful and festive way to do it.”
For a complete listing of Pink & Green Weekend events, visit edgartownboardoftrade.com.