I used to have a favorite tree in town. It would bloom these magical bunches of flowers that seemed to defy gravity, and I looked forward to welcoming it back to life every spring.
I asked the internet what kind it was, and my tree-loving network of friends answered: a chestnut tree. But just a few years later, it was cut down. Now walking up that incline of Spring Street, you pass a large stump instead. I can still feel its spirit when I pass by.
Then last week walking one street over on Center, I noticed another beautiful old chestnut blooming with pride. Flower petals strewn across the ground. Clearly there for many years as well, but in my love of its cousin on Spring I never even noticed it. I guess I now have a new favorite tree.
Tomorrow, June 5, is the inaugural First Friday in Vineyard Haven for 2026. If you didn’t know, I’m one of the coordinators who make these events happen, so I am nervously anticipating the chaotic force that comes with “the first event of the season.”
You can expect the Daytime Market to return to Beach Street Extension, with accompanying live music from 10 am to 2 pm. Businesses along Main Street will be offering sidewalk sales, with music and other surprises peppered through the afternoon. Then, the portion in Owen Park begins with raising the Pride Flag at 4:45 pm, before the celebration begins in full at 5 pm: food vendors open for business, a market with activities on the hill, and live music on the beach until switching to a Silent DJ Party around 9 pm.
I’m particularly looking forward to the community seeing the brand-new dock, finished just in time for its summer debut. We’re welcoming back the Tisbury Firefighters Association as a food vendor this month, and our June tie-dye is returning as usual too. Bring your own items, or buy a new 2026 First Friday T shirt to dye right in the park. Full details, music lineup, food and artist vendors, and more at firstfridayvh.com.
After the Memorial Day Picnic was canceled due to weather, this is a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy Tisbury at the start of the season.
In tick news, the Vineyard Haven library is hosting an expert panel: 6 pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Tuesday, June 9. In collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, expect answers to all sorts of tick-themed questions including preventing bites, seeking medical treatment, alpha-gal syndrome, community action, and new research efforts.
Very happy birthday wishes go out to Abby Bender on June 6, and Leandra Seward on June 7: I hope both of you celebrate with much dancing and merriness by all.
Do you have something you want shared in a future Tisbury column? Email me at tisburycolumnist@gmail.com with your own stories of our town, favorite memories from Kay’s past columns, and anything coming up that you want spotlighted here. I certainly don’t want to miss anyone’s rightful “big bunches of birthday balloons,” or the next best event not to be missed in our corner of the Island.