Vineyard Ushers in 2004 with Festive Air

Fireworks in Tisbury Mark Celebration of Last Night, First Day

By ALEXIS TONTI

Tisbury's Last Night, First Day festival offered Islanders
both the intimacy of a dinner party and the spirit of a large-scale
celebration. And at a time of year when people tend to look back and to
look ahead, it was refreshing to stop, for a few hours, and simply enjoy
the best of what the Island had to offer.

About 30 events were on the schedule, highlighted by an expanded
musical program and fireworks show. Although an ambitious Islander could
make it from one venue to the next in less than four minutes, most
attending were to content to pick a few and then head down to the harbor
for the fireworks.

The one person who could not stop was Jeff Pratt, coordinator of the
Tisbury Ambulance Association and point man for the night. Shortly after
6 o'clock Wednesday he was checking in at the Capawock Theatre,
where volunteers were taking a breather between showings of The Wizard
of Oz.

Mr. Pratt was slightly frazzled ("We may have a critical
shortage of buttons," he said) but otherwise in good spirits.
"The Weather Channel has been my best friend," he said.
"We couldn't have asked for a better night."

From the Capawock he barreled up Spring street toward the Katharine
Cornell Theatre, where Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish were playing to a
full house.

"It's going to be a scene and a half in here
tonight," Mr. Pratt said. "After the fireworks, too.
It's going to be rocking." He checked on the button count
and, when the band had finished, jumped on stage to wish everyone a
happy holiday.

Before leaving Mr. Pratt thought for a moment about New Year's
resolutions: "To organize," he said. "Add a little
more Zen to my life and organize."

And then he was off.

Only half the crowd left with him: "We're staying for
IMP, and then we're staying for WIMP," said Chilmark
resident Linda Thompson, who attended the show with her daughters.
"We've done First Night in Boston before, so we thought this
would be fun. It's a great chance to see old friends."

The IMPers (as they call themselves) launched into their act at 7
p.m. The audience was ready with suggestions for the group's
improvisational comedy. A theme? Try the circus: And they were off into
a sketch about a boy with ten fingers on one hand being recruited for a
life of sideshow performing.

Up the street, the Hebrew Center offered a more intimate setting:
dim lighting, tables to sit at and strong coffee to drink. About 35
people had gathered by the time Maynard Silva began his set -
"We're going to do it like they did in the old days,"
he said. "A real country, blues, down home kind of New
Year's."

All shows stopped for the fireworks, which began on time shortly
after 9 o'clock. The 25-minute display drew people who otherwise
had taken a pass on the night's events. Afterward, some went home
for a late dinner and to watch the the annual telecast of the ball drop
on Times Square; others headed back to the Katharine Cornell for the JAM
concert, which featured teen bands like Olive, the Outerland Funk Trio
and John Barleycorn and the Social Drinkers.

Yesterday parents and children turned out again, this time for the
crazy zany hat parade. Inside the Tisbury police and ambulance facility,
the table was covered with glitter, beads and ribbon.

Everyone had a different approach to making their hat: Some built
up, with ribbon and feathers exploding from the top. Others circled the
hat with garland or flowers. Still others took a different tack, hanging
cups and corks from their brims.

"This is the most fun we've had," said Janice
Ketchen, who was there with her husband, Bob, and friends from
off-Island. They rattled off all they had done, right up to the morning
magic show with the Great Benafuchi.

"Both days have been wonderful, especially with the
kids," Mrs. Ketchen said, gesturing to her friends'
children, one of whom had an oversized tea cup perched on his head.
"We'll be back next year."