Earth Day Beach Clean-Up

Alana and Al did their part at the Earth Day Clean-Up at Eastville Beach.

For the 16th year in a row, the Vineyard celebrated Earth Day appropriately with a community effort to beautify our celebrated beaches. 23 different local groups organized individual clean-up efforts at 23 beaches across the island. The Vineyard Conservation Society spearheaded the cooperative event, supplying bags and gloves and pulling together the efforts by the various organizations at beaches in every town.

The weather cooperated last Saturday, as people of all ages and quite a few four-legged volunteers converged on the island's beaches in the morning for the two hour clean-up effort. It was the picture-perfect warm, sunny morning for what was a first visit of the year for many to their favorite island summer hang-outs.

Then, at noon, the volunteers all came together for a community bonding party in the SBS parking lot. A few farm animals were on hand to set the eco-frienly tone and bluegrass by Ballyhoo provided the entertainment. However, the food tent was really the center of interest, as a steady line made its way through for watermelon, chowder, chicken wings and hot dogs.

An informal picnic atmosphere prevailed as people sunbathed while enjoying the feast perched on rocks or sprawled on the grassy SBS plot. Everyone involved seemed to be soaking up the warmth of an unexpected preview of the upcoming summer.

Photo Gallery

The island came together for a massive beach clean-up effort in support of Earth Day. Then volunteers were thanked with a free lunch and party at SBS.

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Alana and Al helping out with the island-wide clean up on Eastville Beach.

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Earth Day Beach Clean-Up

This year Vineyarders celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up twenty-three beaches around the island. Plum's Jane Loutzenheiser was there to talk with volunteers and event organizers to honor the green-holiday.

Amanda Wallas