Martha's Vineyard Jaws Tour: Walk the Real Amity Island with a Local Guide
Take a guided Jaws tour of Martha's Vineyard with local guide Mike Currid. Walk the real Amity Island in Edgartown and book the "Amity" Walking Tour.
The Edgartown Fourth of July parade is one of New England's most beloved Independence Day celebrations — a tradition dating back to 1844 during the height of the whaling era. In 2026, it will be the 182nd annual parade.
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The Parade
Start time: 5:00 PM — an unusual late-afternoon start. Listen for the chimes on the Old Whaling Church clock: "When it hits the fifth one, off we go!" The parade starts at the Edgartown School parking lot, heads down Main Street, past the Edgartown Lighthouse, continues along Fuller Street and North Water Street, and loops back — a circumnavigation of downtown.
Approximately 1,500 participants march: community floats draped in red/white/blue, marching bands (Sutherland Pipe Band, Colonial Navy Band, Vineyard Haven Band), decorated fire trucks including the 1855 Lysander Button Company fire engine, classic cars, American Legion Post 186 veterans, Camp Jabberwocky with their decorated red bus (a perennial crowd favorite), children on decorated bikes, Island Alpaca, and oxen. Candy throwing is a major tradition — children scramble to collect candy and beaded necklaces thrown from floats.
Fireworks
Begin at dusk, approximately 9:00 PM. Staged on a barge just outside Edgartown Harbor, visible overlooking the lighthouse. Best viewing: Memorial Wharf, Lighthouse Beach, from a boat (charter fireworks cruises available), or East Chop Bluff.
All-Day Schedule
- Early AM: Polar Bear swim at Inkwell Beach (Oak Bluffs)
- 9 AM: Murdick's Fudge Run the Chop Challenge (4-mile race)
- 10 AM: National Anthem by Vineyard Sound a cappella group at Memorial Wharf
- 12 PM: Frederick Douglass speech reading at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs
- 4–8 PM: Vineyard Preservation Trust BBQ at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House lawn
- 5 PM: Parade
- ~9 PM: Fireworks over Edgartown Harbor
Crowds and Getting There
Approximately 25,000 spectators line the route. Downtown parking is extremely limited. Use the Park & Ride lot near "the Triangle" with shuttle buses, or take the free VTA bus. Chairs and towels line Main Street hours before the parade — arrive early.
For the complete town experience, see our Edgartown Town Guide (2026) and the Old Whaling Church next to the Fisher House.
⛴️ Island Tip of the Day — Ferry
The Island Queen from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs is just $20 one-way (35 min). Reservations are now required — book at islandqueen.com. Passengers only, no cars.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and was accurate at the time of writing. Beach conditions, hours, prices, lifeguard schedules, ferry fares, and business operations change frequently and without notice. Ocean swimming carries inherent risks including rip currents, undertow, and cold water shock. Always verify current conditions with official local sources before your visit. MV Vacation assumes no responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience resulting from the use of this information. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, supervise children at all times near water, and follow all posted safety signs.
