Things to Do: Halloween on Martha's Vineyard

Things are starting to get a little spooky around the Vineyard. There are signs of Halloween everywhere, from the jumbo bags of candy at Cronigs to the scarecrows popping up in front of Island businesses. An annual Halloween fund raising initiative by the MV Charter School, parents and children are asked to fashion a story book themed scarecrow, which local businesses sponsor to be displayed outside their premises.

All kinds of characters hit the streets everything from James and the Giant Peach ( Tea Lane Associates' scarecrow this year ) to Elmo, to R2D2! There is often a “Parade” of all the scarecrows lining the sidewalk outside The Mansion House in Vineyard Haven at the end of the month.

Whilst every town on the island welcomes trick-or-treaters, Vineyard Haven is the mecca of Halloween, where hundreds of people of all ages descend upon the historical streets between Franklin, Spring and Main Street. William Street is the 'hub'  and houses are transformed into a goulish, creepy neighborhood where everyone makes such an amazing effort;  it's really fun! If you own a home in the area its best to leave town unless you plan on fully participating!

Streets are closed to traffic between 4pm and 9pm on October 31st.

West Tisbury caters to families with younger kids with a traditional costume party at the Library from 3:30 til 5pm on Halloween, including crafts, snacks and hay rides from Freddie Fisher, of Nip and Tuck Farm. The fun continues at the annual Ag Hall party from 6-8pm, where there are games, prizes and the hay rides get even spookier with a trip around the cemetary!

And if you are driving up island from Vineyard Haven to West Tisbury please look right at Nip and Tuck Farm, where Ghost Island Farm Stand never dissappoints with its Halloween creation.  This year its a huge yellow and black striped alien bubble blowing spider, ( yes it actually blows bubbles into the road in front of the farm!).  Thank you for making us smile Rusty!

Check out MVOL for other Halloween happenings.