In a unanimous vote by the trustees of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, a poster made in tribute to Emma Hall has been chosen for the 159th Agricultural Fair. The trustees have also dedicated the fair itself in honor of Emma Hall, according to Ag Society executive director Lauren Lynch. Hall died in a car crash in December.
“Emma, her mother Helen, and her sisters Charlotte and Sarah were instrumental with the organization and success of the fair for many, many years,” Lynch wrote in an email. “They were department heads, judges, entry clerk assistants, fair artists, livestock judge assistants, exhibitors, and beloved members of the Fair Lady team. The tradition began with Helen and her eldest daughter, Sarah, and was then passed down to Charlotte and Emma in turn. In Emma’s 10 years with the fair, the Ag Hall rang out with her late-night giggles, sarcastic wit, mischievous pranks, and dedication to the job at hand. She was an integral part of the fair family.”
The 159th Ag Fair poster was designed by Emma’s sister, Charlotte Hall, whom Lynch described as “an incredibly talented artist.”
The poster features a needlework image that depicts different features of the fair, like the baking, preserving, and the skillet throw.
“We are honored to present this year’s poster in loving memory of Emma Hall,” Lynch wrote on behalf of the trustees.
“There’s something special about honoring Emma with artwork created by her sister that will be immortalized in fair history,” Ag Society president Brian Athearn wrote. “Dedicating the fair to Emma is a tribute to her dedication to our Island and our community.”
