Updated 12:32 pm, Saturday

Skillet tossing, tractor pulling, ax hurling, pig racing, livestock ribbons, and the ferris wheel have been put out to pasture this year.

The 159th Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair was canceled Wednesday night. MV Agricultural Society trustees took the step as precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus. The fair was slated for Aug. 20 to Aug. 23. The cancellation marks the first time since World War II the Vineyard will be without the event, according to MV Agricultural Society executive director Kristina West.

“In 1942, due to the war, citizens’ travel was significantly curtailed and the society decided to not to hold the fair,” West said. “After a four year hiatus, the fair opened again in 1946.”

Widely regarded as the signature event of the season, drawing both Islanders and seasonal visitors, cancellation of the fair deals another major blow to summer 2020 on Martha’s Vineyard. Beach Road Weekend has been canceled and Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse also eliminated its summer season, as well.

In a statement issued Thursday morning, West joined Agricultural Society president Brian Athearn in lamenting what they described as a “necessary” decision.

“At the April 15th Board meeting, the Trustees of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society made the difficult, but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 fair,” the release states. “We understand the fair is near and dear to so many of you and we want you to know this decision was not made lightly. In these difficult times we must move forward with an abundance of caution and ensure we are doing what is best for the health and safety of our volunteers, our staff, and our Island community.”

West and Athearn went on to say the Ag Society would concentrate on assisting food procurement and distribution.

“We will be taking this time to refocus all our resources on supporting local food producers and distributors,” they wrote. “We are already engaged in discussions with farmers, fishermen, and food distribution organizations to see how we can help get more food on the tables of our friends and neighbors. In times like these it is imperative that we do what Islanders do; come together, support one another, and ensure we all make it through this together.”

For updates on Ag Society affairs they recommended accessing the society’s e-newsletter by emailing contact information to admin@mvagsoc.org.

Anyone wishing to support Ag Society efforts “to bring more local food to local tables,” can make a donation can on the Ag Society website. http://marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org/membership/donate/

“Above all, stay safe and well,” they wrote. “We look forward to seeing you all at next year’s fair, August 19-22, 2021.”

While major events are being cancelled around the Island some Island leaders are saying making decisions for late summer events is a little too soon.

Speaking to The Times by phone Thursday, Oak Bluffs selectman Brian Packish said while he understands Ag Society made their decision for their event, the general consensus in Oak Bluffs is that it’s too early to cancel major events such as Tivoli Day or the August fireworks and there’s too many unknowns at this point in time.

“As far as summer events are concerned we’re certainly talking about them,” Packish said. “The general consensus is it’s far too early to make those types of decisions.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association is awaiting guidance from the state and the Oak Bluffs board of health on its summer programming which includes the popular Illumination Night.

“As much as Illumination is on our minds as a much loved and long standing community tradition, everyone’s health and safety comes first,” CJ Rivard, MVCMA executive director told The Times in an email. “We hope to receive some definitive guidelines in the next couple of weeks, and plan to announce any service or program changes for this summer shortly thereafter.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Marathon has been postponed until Sept. 26, but folks will be able to do a virtual run anytime on or after May 16 and receive all marathon swag in their mail.

Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty said the Fourth of July parade and the fireworks are “too premature to call” and said the town will continue to discuss these events as the dates draw nearer.

“It’s too far out to make any definitive decision, but we are looking at that,” Hagerty said.

Taste of the Vineyard canceled

The Vineyard Trust has recently canceled the Taste of the Vineyard, according to CEO and president of The Trust, Funi Burdick.

Burdick told The Times that it was a tough decision to make, but was ultimately necessary to protect the well-being of the Island community.

“Each day we learn something new, it’s very hard to navigate this. The challenge is how we look at our organizations and see their strengths, and how we can come out of this stronger as an organization and as a community,” Burdick said.

In the coming weeks, Burdick said The Trust will be assessing ways to continue their benevolent community fundraising efforts and plan for future events, while reframing how they can serve the public and create a safe environment for all.

Amy Coffey, a contracted events planner for the Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll, told The Times in an email that “the decisions have been both very difficult as well as quite easy. It’s tough to know we are canceling events that the community looks forward to all year. Especially during a time when people really need something to look forward to and a sense of normal life,” Coffey wrote.

Coffey said the Vineyard Trust has been in contact with restaurants and other participants, and although everyone is in agreement it’s a “huge loss,” Coffey wrote that given the current circumstances, it was the right decision to make,

“Given the current circumstances most restaurants find themselves in, the Vineyard Trust strongly feels it is now our time to support them by encouraging take out business, gift cards and other creative ways that they are working through the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Coffey wrote.

Coffey recognized in her email that these are unprecedented times, but noted the strength and generosity of the Island community as one thing that can get us through.

“The Island community is so generous and giving, I have high hopes that organizations such as the Vineyard Trust will emerge from this crisis with even stronger support as we narrow down our focus to what really makes Martha’s Vineyard the special place we all call home,” Coffey wrote.

Later, in a press release, the Vineyard Trust announced other cancellations along with the Taste of the Vineyard event.

The Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll, which typically kicks off the summer season on the Island, was scheduled for June 11 with the Patron’s Party and Auction following on Saturday, June 13. The Generations Picnic was to be held July 10.

“We are deeply saddened to have to cancel these beloved Island events and are grateful to all of the event sponsors, restaurants, caterers, beverage and other providers who partner with us to bring these festive celebrations to life each year,” Burdick said in the release. “We would like to express our unending thanks to the volunteers who make these events run smoothly and who have spent the last nine months working behind the scenes. We look forward to bringing these teams together again for the 2021 event season.”

“While we won’t be able to gather as a community to raise funds to support the Trust’s work, Vineyard Trust remains committed to the 20 ‘Landmarks for Life’ in our care,” Burdick said in the release. “We know that when this chapter of history concludes, these living landmarks will again play a critical and central role in reconnecting all of us to this place and to each other and we look forward to that time.”

Reporters Brian Dowd and Lucas Thors contributed to this story. Updated to include Taste of the Vineyard being canceled. – Ed.