February on the Vineyard is a magical time. Enjoy a wintery trail, warm yourself by the fireplace and enjoy plenty of live music at the local pubs. Check out our favorite things to do this month on Martha’s Vineyard! “Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey.” February by Margaret Atwood.
- Sheep Shearing Shindig - Saturday, February 5 at 11:00am to 1:00pm - We are celebrating the kick off of Feb-ewe-ary with a Sheep Shearing Shindig. Come on out to the Animal Barn, have a cup of hot cider and learn all about shearing and sheep fiber as the Tunis sheep of Slough Farm get their annual trim before lambing starts in March. We are so happy to have our special guest shearer Siri Swanson from Yankee Rock Farm, who is also a shepherd, butcher and fiber enthusiast, on Island all weekend to share her wealth of sheep and fiber knowledge. Masks will be required when entering the barn and strongly suggested when people cannot social distance outdoors.
- All About Onions - Thursday, February 10 at 5:30pm - Now is the time to start onions from seed. Learn all about how to grow the best onions with Ethan from Grey Barn. Participants will plant some seeds to take home and watch grow. We can’t wait to see them at the fair this year.
- What’s For Dinner - Friday, February 11 at 5:30pm to 7:00pm - Demystify the dinner crunch in these hands-on cooking classes with Chef Jenny Devivo. Focusing on seasonal ingredients, Ms. Devivo will show participants new time-saving techniques to get dinner on the table and solve the age-old question of, What’s for Dinner? 2/11 – Steak-House Dinner at Home: Cook like a chef in this how to class on how to make a delicious steak dinner at home.
- Winter Walk at Polly Hill Arboretum - Saturday, February 12 at 10:00am to 11:00am - In every season the Arboretum offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. At this time of year, plants display unique foliage color, textures, structure, cones and berries. Each tour will be led by a PHA staff member and will highlight winter interest plants that are particularly captivating each month. Tour sizes are limited. Registration is required.
- Love at the Light Sunset Tour - Monday, February 14 at 4:30pm to 6:00pm - Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day weekend with a sunset trek to the Cape Pogue Light. Grab a loved one and hop aboard for this open-air, over-sand excursion to our remote beacon on the Atlantic. We’ll prowl the refuge and take in its ever-changing canvas of color and wildlife before making making our way to the Light. Tour starts at Mytoi Garden parking lot (approximately 2.8 miles drive/walk/bike from Chappy Point). Parking and bike racks are free at Mytoi Garden. We are not offering pick-ups from the Chappy Ferry. Be prepared to leave yourself enough time to drive over on the Chappy Ferry. A Chappy Ferry cam is available on their website. Advance, pre-registration is required.
- Screech & Hoot Full Moon Owl Prowl - Wednesday, February 16 at 6:00pm to 7:00pm - Hoo's out there? Owls silently fly through our Island woods and fields. Join us at Felix Neck for a bright moon stroll to look, listen and learn about these nocturnal birds. Dress comfortably for the weather. Registration is on our website.
- Sausage Making at the Farm Institute - Saturday, February 19 at 10:00am to 12:00pm - A hands-on class with Tyler Potter of the Swimming Pig for preparing, seasoning, grinding and stuffing your own sausage. Each participant will take home 1.5 lbs of freshly made local sausage.
- Winter Beach Safari - Saturday, February 19 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm - Explore the winter landscape of Chappaquiddick’s only wildlife refuge on this open-air, over-sand adventure. We’ll trek the barrier beach and keep our eyes peeled for winter wildlife; if we’re lucky we may even spot a snowy owl. Dress appropriately for the weather (think layers) and for walking on sand. Binoculars and cameras encouraged. Tour starts at Mytoi Garden parking lot (approximately 2.8 miles drive/walk/bike from Chappy Point). Parking and bike racks are free at Mytoi Garden. We are not offering pick-ups from the Chappy Ferry. Be prepared to leave yourself enough time to drive over on the Chappy Ferry. A Chappy Ferry cam is available on their website. Advance, pre-registration is required.
- Winter Forest Bathing at Polly Hill Arboretum - Saturday, February 26 at 9:00am to 10:00am - Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese practice of relaxation in nature, has been shown to improve immune response, mental performance, and creativity. Enjoy an easy, mindful walk-through beautiful Arboretum tree in a peaceful winter setting. Shanta Gabriel has worked in the field of alternative health for 40 years and has been leading groups in nature since 2012. Registration is required.
- Alpaca Walk & Talk - Daily at 11:00 am - Walking with alpaca is a way to learn more about how gentle alpacas truly are. A wonderful experience for all ages. Every participant will learn the basics of handling an alpaca safely as well as where alpaca come from and why they are important to us. One can see how sweet and gentle they are by interacting with them, and literally get your hands on them to see how luxurious, and how soft their fleece is. A perfect way for those who are thinking about owning alpaca to learn more about them. Alpaca Walk & Talk is available daily on a first come, first served basis. Pre-registration is required, weather permitting. We will contact you if we cannot hold the walk due to inclement weather. Your own alpaca option: It is $30 per person to walk your own "lead" alpaca. To add guests to share that alpaca with you, it is $20 per person additionally, there is no minimum number of people to share one alpaca. With children under 14 years of age sharing with an adult is required. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Masks and closed-toe shoes required for all participants at all times on the farm property.
- Live Music: Johnny + Delanie at the Cardboard Box - Thursdays in February at 8:00 pm - With Johnny Hoy + Delanie Pickering.