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161st Annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair

Arts and Entertainment

August 17, 2023

From: Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair

The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society is thrilled to present the 161st Fair Poster, painted by Nancy Mulcahy. This year’s poster contest saw 32 fantastic submissions. We were humbled by the turnout and love of the Fair that was showcased through the beautiful designs.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, August 17, 2023 -- Cattle Day

Fair open 10 AM–11 PM. Hall opens in the afternoon after  judging is complete. Fiber Tent closes at 6, Barns at 9, Hall at 10.

CONTESTS

**preregistration required to compete

**10:30 AM: Parade of oxen/oxen obstacle course (Pulling Ring)

**11 AM: Oxen in hand (Pulling Ring)

**1 PM: Oxen pull (Pulling Ring)

1 PM: Spinning competition (Fiber Tent)

3 PM: Chopstick knitting competition (Fiber Tent)

4 PM: Sack races (Show Ring)

5 PM: Kiddie pedal tractor pull (next to Pulling Ring)

ANIMAL EVENTS

All day: Shearing demos (behind Fiber Tent)

6 PM: Goat show and judging of goats (in front of Animal Barn)

6:30 PM: Judging of sheep (Animal Barn)

7 PM: Judging of cattle (Animal Barn)

KIDS' EDUCATION

All day: Drop-in crafts (Fiber Tent)

All day: Scavenger hunt (Animal Barn)

11 AM–1 PM: Touch tanks with the MV Shellfish Group (Education Barn)

11 AM–1 PM: Storytime and crafts with the Vineyard Haven Library (Education Barn)

1–3 PM: Meet a horse with Misty Meadows (Education Barn)

3–5 PM: Photography lessons with The Mindful Photographer/Mindful Photography 4-H Club (Education Barn)

3–5 PM: Beach cleanup kits with Vineyard Conservation Society (Education Barn)

MUSIC AND DANCE

11 AM–5 PM: The Blue Hills Brass Trio (strolling)

11 AM: Roberta Kirn Community Sing (Music Tent)

12 PM: BYO Island Uke/Strings Jam (Music Tent)

5 PM: The Ukeladies (Music Tent)

5:45 PM: Blue Yonder (Music Tent)

7 PM: The Jaywalkers (Music Tent)

7 PM: The Flying Elbows (Ag Hall Porch)

8:30 PM: The Roundabouts (Music Tent)

Buy Thursday Fair Tickets

Friday, August 18, 2023 -- Horse Day

Fair open 10 AM–11 PM. Fiber Tent closes at 6, Barns at 9, Hall at 10.

CONTESTS

*preregistration required to compete

**11 AM: Draft horse halter class (Pulling Ring)

1 PM: Spinning competition (Fiber Tent)

**1 PM: Draft horse pulling contest (Pulling Ring)

2 PM: Kids' corn husking comeptition (behind Hall)

3 PM: Chopstick knitting competition (Fiber Tent)

3 PM: Pet Show (Music Tent)

ANIMAL EVENTS

All day: Shearing demos (behind Fiber Tent)

10 AM: Judging of miniature donkeys and horses (Animal Barn)

10 AM–12 PM: Free pony rides by Misty Meadows (Show Ring)

10:30 AM: Judging of rabbits (Animal Barn)

11 AM: Judging of swine (Animal Barn)

11:30 AM: Judging of llamas and alpacas (Animal Barn)

5:30 PM: 4-H calf obstacle course and race (Show Ring)

KIDS' EDUCATION

All day: Drop-in crafts (Fiber Tent)

All day: Scavenger hunt (Animal Barn)

11 AM-1 PM: Bird games with Sheriff's Meadow Foundation/Winging It! 4-H Club (Education Barn)

1-3 PM: Seed and worm activities with Island Grown Initiative (Education Barn)

1–3 PM: Guess the farming tool! with the MV Museum/Crafts of Yesteryear 4-H Club (Education Barn)

3-5 PM: Crafts and storytime with the Edgartown Library (Education Barn)

3–5 PM: Beach cleanup kits with Vineyard Conservation Society (Education Barn)

MUSIC AND DANCE

11 AM–5 PM: The Blue Hills Brass Trio (strolling)

11 AM: Action Karate demonstration (Music Tent)

12 PM: Percussive dance performance with Caleb Teicher and Nic Gareiss (Music Tent)

12 PM: Miss Molly hula hoop and stilt walking (roaming)

4 PM: Missus Biskis (Music Tent)

5 PM: Mark Alan Lovewell and Molly Conole (Music Tent)

5:30 PM: The Convertibles (Music Tent)

6:30: Youth Music Showcase (Music Tent)

7 PM: The Outskirts (Music Tent)

8:30 PM: Workman Song (Music Tent)

Buy Friday Fair Tickets

Saturday, August 19, 2023 -- Farm Machinery Day

Fair open 10 AM–11 PM. Fiber Tent closes at 6, Barns at 9, Hall at 10.

CONTESTS

**preregistration required to compete

**All day: Woodsman's competition (Pulling Ring)

10 AM: Antique tractor pull (behind the Pulling Ring)

3 PM: Chopstick knitting competition (Fiber Tent)

4 PM: Shucking competition (Music Tent)

5 PM: Sack races (Show Ring)

5:30 PM: Mini excavator competition (behind Pulling Ring)

5:30 PM: Tug of war competition (Show Ring)

ANIMAL EVENTS

All day: Shearing demos (behind Fiber Tent)

2 PM: Calf showmanship class (in front of Animal Barn

3:30 PM: 4-H calf costume contest (Show Ring)

KIDS' EDUCATION

All day: Drop-in crafts (Fiber Tent)

All day: Scavenger hunt (Animal Barn)

11 AM-1 PM: Storytimes and crafts with the West Tisbury Library (Education Barn)

11 AM–1 PM: Corn husk dolls with the Aquinnah Cultural Center (Education Barn)

1-3 PM: Storytime and collaborative art with the Oak Bluffs Public Library (Education Barn)

3–4 PM: Touch a tractor (Pulling Ring)

3-5 PM: Meet a horse with Misty Meadows (Education Barn)

3–5 PM: Beach cleanup kits with Vineyard Conservation Society (Education Barn)

MUSIC AND DANCE

11 AM–5 PM: The Blue Hills Brass Trio (strolling)

12 PM: Miss Molly hula hoop and stilt walking (roaming)

5:30 PM: Local music TBD (Music Tent)

6:30 PM: Young Musician Showcase (Music Tent)

7 PM: One Night Stand (Music Tent)

7 PM: Tristan Israel and Friends (Ag Hall Porch)

8 PM: Miss Molly fire show (Pulling Ring)

8:30 PM: Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish (Music Tent)

Buy Saturday Fair Tickets

Sunday, August 20, 2023 -- Last Day

Fair open 9:30 AM–6 PM. Fiber Tent, Barns, and Hall close at 5.

CONTESTS

**preregistration required to compete **10 AM: Dog show (Pulling Ring)

**11 AM–5 PM: Cornhole Summer Showdown (under trees near Show Ring)

1 PM: Spinning competition (Fiber Tent)

3 PM: Chopstick knitting competition (Fiber Tent)

**3 PM: Women's skillet toss (Pulling Ring)

ANIMAL EVENTS

All day: Local equine events (Show Ring)

All day: Shearing demos (behind Fiber Tent)

4 PM: Barn closing parade (Animal Barn)

KIDS' EDUCATION

All day: Drop-in crafts (Fiber Tent)

All day: Scavenger hunt (Animal Barn)

11 AM-1 PM: Touch tanks with the MV Shellfish Group (Education Barn)

1-3 PM: Guess the farm tool! with the MV Museum/Crafts of Yesteryear 4-H Club (Education Barn)

Buy Sunday Fair Tickets

Dates: August 17 - 20, 2023

Hours: The Fair is open from from 10 AM –11 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday  and 10 AM–6 PM on Sunday.

Location: The Agricultural Hall, 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575

Click Here for more information.