Grand Illumination Night is the annual summer event that is most emblematic of the magical Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. This historic community in Oak Bluffs, MA, has over 300 charming homes embellished with gingerbread trim and painted in every color of the rainbow. One August day each year since 1868, cottage owners retreat to dusty attics and unpack Asian lanterns and umbrellas, many as old as the homes themselves, to embellish their picture-perfect cottages even more. Come nightfall, these lanterns will be lit en masse to the oohs and ahhs of thousands of appreciative onlookers.
I spent the afternoon before Grand Illumination last week riding my bicycle around this area so that I could watch as the cottage owners prepared for their showiest night of the year. The result is the photos, below.
Aren't they wonderful? Just wait until you see them all lit up — in my next post!
Enjoy the holiday weekend,
Susan
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Pure magic.
Posted by: Musings from Kim k. | August 30, 2014 at 03:18 PM
What fun to see it first hand. Truly looks like a magical night.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | August 30, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Awesome Susan ! Beautiful decorations and so neat to see it on your bike. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Elsie | August 31, 2014 at 08:55 AM
Susan - thank you for the beautiful pictures, Illumination Night is always my favorite event of the summer. Love the daytime pictures.
Posted by: Joan | August 31, 2014 at 11:28 AM