A blue bird flies above the words "SUMMER @ TheYard" written in green and blue on a light blue background.

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Chilmark Community Trust

Chilmark Community Trust fosters community connection and engagement through cultural events, educational programs, and support for local initiatives, aiming to enhance the quality of life in Chilmark and strengthen community ties.

Ghost stories, Salt Rock s&rsquo;mores, and a bonfire &ndash; it&rsquo;s a classic summer combo! Join us for an evening with Holly Nadler as she leads us through a night of stories suitable for family members of all ages. We&rsquo;ll kick things off at 5:30 PM with stories suitable for our younger listeners. Braver listeners can stick around for some scarier tales that will start around 6:30 PM. As the summer comes to a close, we will gather one final time as friends, family, and neighbors around the campfire. Enjoy a picnic dinner on the lawn before the stories get started. Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Ghost Stories & S'mores

Bring the whole family for a playful yoga adventure designed for all ages and experience levels, brought to you by the Chilmark Community Trust and Yoga on the Vine. Through fun movement, games, and play, we&#39;ll stretch, laugh, and explore together while building presence, balance, and connection.&nbsp; We&#39;ll also sprinkle in simple breathing exercises and &quot;imagination vacations,&quot; guided mindfulness journeys that help children (and grown-ups!) learn to calm their bodies, focus their minds, and tap into their creativity. &nbsp; No flexibility or yoga experience is required, just come ready to move, play, breathe and have fun together.

Family Yoga

Join us for an evening of conversation with Author Belle Burden and Actress/Comedian Amy Schumer&nbsp;as they discuss the Best-Selling Book, Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage.&nbsp;The fundraiser will be hosted at The Yard in Chilmark on August 12th starting at 5:30 PM. We are grateful to be hosting events this summer that are free and open to all. It is important that we have opportunities to gather together as friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate what makes our community special. To help us continue offering this free programming, we hope that you will purchase a ticket to this exciting Community Fundraiser. All proceeds support the programs and initiatives of the Chilmark Community Trust.&nbsp;

Community Fundraiser: A Conversation with Belle Burden & Amy Schumer

It&rsquo;s not summer without a movie night! Join us for a classic family movie at The Yard. You bring a picnic dinner, and we&rsquo;ll provide the popcorn and candy. It is sure to be a night to remember! Doors open at 5:30 PM. The movie starts at 6 PM. Enjoy a picnic dinner before the movie starts! Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Family Movie Night

Get ready to dance the night away with the Flying Elbows! Whether you are a square dancing pro or a first-timer, this event will get everyone out on the dance floor. There will also be Strawberry Shortcake to share - need we say more? Enjoy a picnic dinner before the dancing starts! Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners!<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up &nbsp;before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Square Dancing and Shortcake

A night of music and ice cream &ndash; what could be better? Bring a lawn chair or blanket and come listen to The Vineyard Sound sing some of your a cappella favorites. Plus, you can treat yourself to an ice cream sundae. It&rsquo;s the perfect summer combination! Enjoy a picnic dinner on the lawn before the music gets started. Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Vineyard Sound and Ice Cream

Roll up your sleeves and dive into the fascinating world beneath Vineyard waters. Join Chilmark&#39;s Shellfish Constable and Emma Green-Beach, Shellfish Biologist and Executive Director of the Martha&#39;s Vineyard Shellfish Group, for an unforgettable afternoon exploring the creatures that help shape our Island&#39;s waters, culture, and economy. Meet baby scallops, giant quahogs, oysters, and clams. Discover how shellfish grow, how they clean our waters, where to find them, how to harvest them, and of course, how to shuck them. Expect plenty of stories, surprises, science, and hands-on learning along the way. This is not a sit-and-listen program. You&#39;ll touch, hold, sort, examine, and maybe even taste your way through the afternoon. Wet hands are strongly encouraged. No shellfish experience required. Curious minds of all ages welcome. Come early if you want to enjoy a picnic. You&#39;re also welcome to bring your own picnic lunch. Or order chowder and/or lobster rolls from Menemsha Fish Markets, &nbsp;pick up and enjoy on our grounds. Come discover why shellfish are some of the hardest-working&mdash;and most delicious&mdash;creatures in the sea.

Shellfish, Science & Shucking

Come join us for a night of Bingo! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to this fun night of friendly competition. There will be prizes on the line and more Yommi pops for a sweet treat! Enjoy a picnic dinner on the lawn before the bingo gets started! Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Family Bingo Night!

Think you know Martha&#39;s Vineyard? Think again. Join Island historian and author Thomas Dresser for an engaging journey into some of the Vineyard&#39;s most fascinating and lesser-known stories. From mysterious place names and forgotten cemeteries to dramatic shipwrecks and tales of the Underground Railroad, this lively presentation will reveal the layers of history hidden just beneath the surface of everyday Island life. Topics Include: The Stories Behind Vineyard Street Names and PlacesEver wondered how a road got its name? Or why certain places are called what they are? Tom shares the origins, characters, and colorful stories behind some of the Island&#39;s most memorable names&mdash;including one of his favorites, Goah Way. The Underground Railroad on Martha&#39;s VineyardDiscover the Island&#39;s connections to the Underground Railroad and the courageous individuals who played a role in this important chapter of American history. Shipwrecks and Sea StoriesEveryone loves a shipwreck story. Hear the dramatic accounts of five of the most memorable wrecks in Vineyard history and the people whose lives were forever changed by them. Historic Buildings and Island LandmarksExplore the stories behind some of the Vineyard&#39;s most notable and intriguing buildings, from grand landmarks to overlooked local treasures. Hidden Cemeteries of Martha&#39;s VineyardTucked away in woods, fields, and unexpected corners of the Island are historic burial grounds that most residents have never seen. There are far more than you might imagine. Thomas Dresser is one of Martha&#39;s Vineyard&#39;s most respected historians and authors. Through numerous books and decades of research, he has preserved stories that might otherwise have been lost&mdash;from the Island&#39;s role in the Underground Railroad to the origins of local legends such as Chicken Alley, the Moon Cusser tradition, and countless other tales that help define Vineyard life. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation.Come early and bring a picnic lunch. Take-out lunches are available at Beetlebung Farm and the Chilmark Store.

Hidden History of Martha's Vineyard with Thomas Dresser

A night of classic games for friends and family of all ages! Join us as we play some of our favorite lawn games, musical chairs, limbo, and other summer activities. Plus, there will be Yommi Bars for everyone to enjoy! Enjoy a picnic dinner on the lawn before the family fun gets started! Not sure what to bring? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Family Fun Night!

Wampanoag traditional craft, storytelling, and history come together. Participants will create pinch pots and corn dolls using natural materials while learning about the cultural significance of these enduring traditions and the stories they carry from generation to generation. This engaging experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with Indigenous knowledge, creativity, and living history. Open to all ages. Children under 5 are welcome but will need adult assistance. Bring your own picnic, or order lunch in advance from Orange Peel Bakery, the wood-fired micro-bakery and gathering space created by Indigenous leader and activist Juli Vanderhoop. Choose between the following options:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Chicken salad served on focaccia with pesto and Kalamata olives &nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Egg salad served on Ebony ciabatta with bread &amp; butter pickles.&nbsp;</li></ul>Each lunch costs $18 and comes with a cookie or gluten-free brownie. Call 508-645-2025 by Thursday at 5 PM to order your picnic, and it will be delivered to The Yard on Friday afternoon. Please Venmo @bakery682 for payment.&nbsp;

Wampanoag Traditions

A fun night of dancing with music by The Mike Benjamin Band with Special Guest Judd Fuller! Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic dinner, and your friends and family to celebrate our first event. There will even be Salt Rock Chocolate S&rsquo;mores to start the summer off right!&nbsp; Not sure what to bring for dinner? Order from one of our community partners:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beetlebung Farm is now offering &lsquo;BeetleBundle Farm Picnics&rsquo; on Tuesday nights. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beetlebungfarm.org/beetlebundles" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Pre-order yours online</a> by Monday at 11 AM and they&rsquo;ll have it ready for pick-up before the event!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grab a delicious pizza from the Chilmark General Store. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkgeneralstore.toast.site/order" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Order it in advance</a> and grab it on your way to The Yard!</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://chilmarkchurch.org/service/index.php/mission-and-outreach/community-outreach/lobster-rolls-to-go/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The Chilmark Community Church</a> sells Lobster Rolls every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 PM. Stop by and purchase one for just $25!</li></ul>

Chilmark Community Trust

Chilmark Community Trust

Past events

Past events

Ghost Stories & S'mores

Family Yoga

Community Fundraiser: A Conversation with Belle Burden & Amy Schumer

Family Movie Night

Square Dancing and Shortcake

Vineyard Sound and Ice Cream

Shellfish, Science & Shucking

Family Bingo Night!

Hidden History of Martha's Vineyard with Thomas Dresser

Family Fun Night!

Wampanoag Traditions

Music & Dancing with The Mike Benjamin Band with Special Guest Judd Fuller

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