The Boston Pops performed in Ocean Park on a perfect summer evening as part of the first annual Martha's Vineyard Festival.
The Vineyard welcomed its newest ferry. Bigger, faster and better looking, the MV Island Home is the pride of the Steamship's fleet.
The Clintons were joined by Ted Danson and others at Hillary's August fundraiser.
West African musician Mamadou played at one of the MV International Film Festival parties. Filmmaker Doug Limon (Swingers) is in the background.
by Gwyn McAllister
Teaser
Relive the highlights of 2007 - from the inauguration of the MV Island
Home and visits from Presidential candidates to the Boston Pops and a
new fall wine and food festival - and more.
2007 was a big year on the Vineyard - with some new major events really livening things up, both during the summer and the off-season, and a brand new luxury boat added to the Steamship's fleet. Plum was on hand all year to capture the excitement on tv and on the web.
March - Island Home Arrives
We said good bye to the beloved Islander, who had been serving the Vineyard for the last half a century, and welcomed her replacement the MV Island Home. There were many teary eyes at the retirement ceremony for the faithful old boat, but we've come to love our new luxury ferry that carries almost twice as many passengers, one and one half times as many cars, and makes the trip about ten minutes faster. And it's so shiny and modern! We checked out the boat when it first joined the fleet to find the best places to hang out.
April - Chappy Breach
A combination of a storm and powerful spring tides severed the delicate connection between tiny Chappaquiddick Island and the rest of Martha's Vineyard. A breach that cut through Norton Point Beach this past spring was not the first, but experts believe it may be a permanent amputation this time. Chappy is now truly an island and residents and visitors are completely reliant on the tiny ferry or private boats. Plum caught video of the breach just days after it happened.
April - Living Local Day
At the end of the month, a welcome springtime event brought islanders in droves out to the Fairgrounds for a full day of talks, demonstrations and activities geared towards educating the public about sustainable living. The day was fun - with solar-powered toy car races, music and food - but also a great chance for folks to learn more about the many organizations working to keep the Vineyard the paradise that it is. Check out a story and pics on Living Local Day.
June - Open for Business
Excitement was in the air as Vineyarders anticipated the arrival of summer crowds and the reopening of many stores and restaurants, as well as quite a few new businesses. A good deal of spring buzz surrounded the arrival of the new Balance. The original, run by chef Ben de Forest, had been a hot spot for many years, and now the popular bar/restaurant is back in a new location. Plum was there for the opening night party.
July - Housing on the Tube
Plum hosted their first telethon. The weekend-long event was a huge community wide effort to raise much needed money for Island Affordable Housing. The telethon drew local and national celebs who pitched in with the fundraising, and the public responded overwhelmingly - donating an amazing half a million dollars by the time we wrapped it all up on Sunday. Check it all out.
Aug - Martha's Vineyard Festival
The summer ending lineup of Illumination Night, Ag Fair and Fireworks was punched up even more this year with the addition of a new exciting event. The inaugural Martha's Vineyard Festival transformed Ocean Park into a big-time concert arena that featured the Boston Pops, Natalie Cole, Branford Marsalis, Carly Simon and more for an event that should become an annual one. Check out pics.
Aug - Hillary Clinton Speaks
As Presidential hopefuls made their way to the island for fundraising, Vineyarders hopped aboard the Hillary train (for a couple of stops at least) as the Senator from New York hosted a big affordable public appearance, complete with musical guests and more, on the island that has been a vacation spot for her and her family for many years. Plum was the only film crew to cover Sen. Clinton's speech and we telecast it in its entirety. Check out clips. Plum's Alex Friedman also caught up with Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean.
Sept - The MV International Film Festival
The MVIFF established itself amongst recognized film festivals this year with some help from Plum as a sponsor. The festival, in its second year, has grown into a weekend-long celebration of film, music and food from around the world. Screenings included Sean Penn's Into the Wild and the critically acclaimed The Owl and the Sparrow from Vietnam. The party each night was as surprisingly varied, and wonderfully entertaining, as the incredible selection of films - with directors sipping drinks and swapping stories alongside nationally known musicians and actors. Check it all out.
Oct - Martha's Vineyard Annual Harvest
Yet another first this year was the food and wine festival that took over Edgartown for a fall weekend. Prominent chefs from the island, Boston and beyond participated in cooking demos, while vintners brought the newest and the best of their wines to a crowd of locals and foodies from all over who made the trek for this celebration of gastronomy. Check out video and a story.
More from 2007
The above list represents new events and unique happenings. However Plum, as always, also covered all the traditional events that help define Martha's Vineyard as the excitingly diverse and dynamic island that it is. Here's a sampling of videos from other Vineyard events from the past year:
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