Let's Talk Lighthouses: Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse Challenge

We have recently learned that the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the island's very first Lighthouse Challenge on the weekend of June 13, 14, and 15, 2008.

As of this writing, four of the five Martha's Vineyard Lighthouses would be involved in this event, and the Chamber is very hopeful of being able to add the one remaining holdout to the loop. Already committed to the Challenge are Edgartown Light, Cape Pogue Light, Gay Head (Acquinnah) Light, and East Chop Light. West Chop Light, which remains owned by the U. S. Coast Guard and serves as quarters for Coast Guard personnel, remains the only holdout due to security reasons. The Chamber is working with the Coast Guard at this time in attempting to work out some sort of agreement which would satisfy both parties and add West Chop to the Lighthouse Challenge.

Unlike Lighthouse Challenges which are conducted in other parts of the country, the MV Challenge will not be selling tickets at each individual lighthouse.

A reception is planned on Friday evening (June 13) at the Martha's Vineyard Museum in Edgartown to welcome participants, collect fees, and hand out passbooks. The lighthouses will be open on Saturday for the participants, and an awards ceremony is being planned for Sunday morning at the Museum.

The Chamber is still workong on the logistics, such as cost to participate, exact times, lodging, and transportation information. Questions can be directed to Susan Gibbs at the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce at 508/693-4486 ext. 10.

The following links have been provided for more information.

Edgartown Lighthouse: