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Although not widely promoted to the lighthouse community in advance, the recent, first ever Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouse Challenge, a pre-paid event, with activities over three days, which was sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the Trustees of Reservations and the U.S. Coast Guard, was rated a success by its organizers.
The weekend began with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday night at the Edgartown Lighthouse. This lighthouse that was once in great disrepair, with damage on the inside and graffiti on the outside, had been restored over the past nine months, along with two other lighthouse on the island that had also been restored over the past nine months by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Saturday was the traditional Challenge day, with groups going by bus to visit each of the five lighthouses. Challengers visited East Chop Lighthouse, Edgartown Lighthouse, and Cape Poge Lighthouse on the island of Chappaquiddick. Even West Chop lighthouse, normally off limits to wandering the grounds due to being maintained by the Coast Guard, was open and available for lighthouse enthusiasts. The day ended with a sunset climb into Gay Head Lighthouse in the quaint town of Aquinnah. Although no sunset was to be found due to the heavy cloud cover, a fun time was had by the many lovers of lighthouses who had gathered together.
The final challenge day, Sunday, was held at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum where breakfast was served under the tent and awards were given.
The Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse Challenge is scheduled again next year for the second weekend in June. For more information on the Lighthouse Challenge, visit www.mvy.com.
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