Ryan Kilgore, from Lexington, MA, strings up lanterns on the porch of his rental house in Oak Bluffs before the Grand Illumination begins. — Photo by Michael Cummo

The annual Grand Illumination Night takes place in Oak Bluffs tonight, Wednesday, August 19, at the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association Campground. Festivities include a band performance and a community sing with hymns, folk songs, spirituals, rounds, and patriotic songs that begins at 7:30 pm in the Tabernacle. Following the music, take a stroll among the Campground’s gingerbread cottages, which will be adorned with vibrant Chinese and Japanese lanterns for the occasion. Grand Illumination started in Oak Bluffs over a century ago, and initially marked the visit of the governor of Massachusetts. Free, with goodwill offering. For more information, visit mvcma.org.