A 1927 Mack fire truck, New Orleans–style music, a Candy Land float and streets lined with families and friends decked out in their best holiday outfits filled the Edgartown streets on Saturday for the 43rd annual Christmas in Edgartown parade.
According to parade director for the past eight years Leah Fraumeni, there were more than 30 total floats and walking groups in the parade along with streets lined with spectators, making this parade the biggest it’s ever been in recent memory.
“It brings us so much joy,” Fraumeni said. “Myself and the others in the Christmas in Edgartown committee were just high-fiving that this weekend had such a huge turnout, and is just growing and growing every year.”
The Harbor View Hotel took first place in the walking category, with an eerily life-like Elf on the Shelf and staff marching alongside one of its beloved elephant sculptures, which typically rests on its lawn overlooking the harbor.
The Boys and Girls Club’s extravagant Candy Land float topped the float category with different colors and icons from the beloved board game, and the mini cows, adorned in Christmas colors, led by young herders from the 4-H Livestock Club were named best in the animal category.
After the parade processed through town, the Edgartown village green became the heart of festivities. Different Islander artists and crafters, such as Althea Designs, Chappaquiddick Wood Co., the Ruel Gallery, Bent Wing Pottery, Merry Farm Pottery, Archil Designs, and the Preservation Trust, filled the space.
There was festive food from Reunion Pizza, some Island-brewed beers were available, and a crowd favorite of homemade mac and cheese was available inside a center tent. A long line of eager young children and their families waited for photos with Santa outside Covington.
Fraumeni was thrilled with the spirit of the town.
“There were lines outside shops … in December … down the street … and that’s why we are doing it,” said Fraumeni. “This is what we wanted. That’s the whole point of Christmas in Edgartown is to bring commerce to Edgartown in the off-season.”
On the corner of Water and Main streets, the Upis Land Band, led by Ben Hughes, started performing New Orleans–style Christmas music with an African-drum twist, and the crowd couldn’t help but start dancing. Performing on the move, the band wandered over to the Edgartown village green for a brief jam session with local musical legends Mike Benjamin, Wes Nagy, and Brad Tucker, elevating the energy of a Christmas bash with a steady back beat.
In addition to the strong showing of locals, many visitors to the Island have also made it a tradition to come to the Christmas in Edgartown parade, which also turned up the volume on the holiday spirit. A group of friends from Connecticut calling themselves “the Yeti Group” wore four large blow-up snowmen costumes, with one wearing a snowflake.
Snowman Greg Szyszkowski, alongside his wife, the snowflake, said, “We are just a group of Christmas-loving friends.”
Another group turning heads was the Duffy family, wearing their Christmas tree, gingerbread man, and North Pole costumes.
“It’s the perfect way to get into the spirit of Christmas,” said Julie Duffy, the Christmas tree of the group. “It’s fun, joyful, and there’s something about the size and merriment of it. [We’ve] been coming for 10 years, but we decided to spice it up this year.”
“It’s the biggest crowd we’ve ever seen here. It’s jammed and it’s great,” said her husband, John Duffy.
This year also saw the coveted return of the Harbor View Hotel Ball, a standout addition that was warmly received by attendees.
Other spirited parade participants included the Kismet Outfitters, Cape Cod Express, Island Health Care Dental Center, the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, Wheel Happy Bicycle Shop, St. Andrew’s Church, the Vineyard Gazette Media group, Point B Compass, the Trustees, White Stone Equestrian, MVRHS Girls Ice Hockey, Martha’s Vineyard Cub Scouts, Cycling Club of Martha’s Vineyard, M.V. Youth travel basketball, the Rockland Trust Co., and many more.
“I hope that everyone had an overall great experience and really enjoyed the town and all the festivities,” said Fraumeni, recapping the event. “I hope it left people enjoying Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, and [that they] felt like they had a very fulfilling weekend and can’t wait to come back next year.”
