A full year after the Fourth of July fire closed down Main street, Vineyard Haven, the sun, the crowds and the grand reopening of Bunch of Grapes Bookstore this weekend seemed to return a familiar summer life of leisure to the Island.

It was morning on the Fourth of July 2008 when a fire that sparked at Café Moxie burned into the bookstore and not only closed the two anchor businesses, but singed commerce throughout downtown. Days later, the town’s annual birthday celebration, the Tisbury Street Fair turned into a de facto fundraiser to restore the hopes of the Island.

Tomorrow, the 38th annual Tisbury Street Fair celebrations begin at 6:30 p.m.

By afternoon all of Main street will be transformed to a merchants and shoppers promenade with live music, a variety of different foods and products offered by shopowners and many nonprofit organizations. More than 90 vendors are expected to participate in the three-hour street party extravaganza, a rebirth of a town center by determined and spirited townspeople. Thousands are expected.

“This year, this is the rising of the phoenix,” said Tisbury selectman Jeff Kristal. “This is the rising from the ashes. Bunch of Grapes is back. Cafe Moxie has a tentative plan. There are new shops on Main street. This is showing people that Vineyard Haven is alive and well.

“There is a younger feel to the town. There is vitality. The clock is working. I haven’t seen this street look better in years,” he said.

The street-life flavor was bustling again in front of the bookstore. Authors were again feeling at home amid the bookshelves and the Main street sidewalk. Hundreds of readers returned to 44 Main street to mark the occasion.

Dawn Braasch, the store’s new owner, said she was gratified by the public response on Saturday. Close to 100 people lined up before opening time to get the first-in free T-shirts. Ms. Brassch said the T-shirt gift supply lasted less than 15 minutes. She noted that throughout the day, the public was spirited and enthusiastic about the resurrection of the place.

Authors showed up throughout the morning and early afternoon to sign copies of books sold in the store. Outside, the authors met their fans and the fans of reading. All mingled together amid the return of a community center for literature.

The flavor of a street fair was already evident under the awning in the front of the bookstore. Charlotte Kaye, mother of the store owner, served lemonade and was assisted by Karen Van Buskirk, a store employee, who was passing out cupcakes. To them, it wasn’t just a wonderful day for a grand reopening, it was a wonderful sunny summer day on the Vineyard after a month of overcast gray skies.

Across the road at 35 Main street, Bowl & Board, music was played by the GraviKord Duo, two performers who play a combination flute and harp-like string instruments. The two come from Orange County, N.Y., and will perform at the street fair.

The public will burst out of Main street tomorrow, like fresh cooked popcorn coming out of the kettle. Robin Sylvia, who is running the event for the fourth year, said spirits are high compared to a year ago. The community is looking forward to this event and the weather this weekend helped. Though Café Moxie is still far from being rebuilt, they’ll have a booth at the fair to remind the community of their intended presence.

Mrs. Sylvia said there will be new and old faces on the street. The Yard, the Chilmark dance center, has a new booth.

“There will be pony rides, face painting, all kinds of food. There will be jewelry, arts and crafts and, of course, clothing,” Mrs. Sylvia said.

Musician Johnny Hoy and his band will perform on the street as they have for years.

GraviKord Duo will perform at Carter Park, the Island’s smallest municipal park, located at the intersection of Main and Union Street.

The Tisbury Street Fair was created in 1971 as part of the town’s tri-centennial celebration. Its creation was so successful, townspeople have continued to hold the event annually, always on July 8, the town’s birthday.

“Last year it was a pretty good idea to go ahead with the street fair,” said Mr. Kristal. Though the street had days earlier been covered with smoke and the streets washed by water from fire hoses, Mr. Kristal said, “We decided to continue with the street fair, let everyone come together as a community to view the tragic site.

“The street fair is where we all mix, visitors and residents of the Island and share in great food, fun and live music,” he said.

Monies raised from renting booths at the Tisbury Street Fair will go to the town’s fire department. Mrs. Sylvia said the income has alternated between the fire and police for many years.

The town fire department will be selling glow sticks, and, for those interested in more traditional fare, hamburgers and hot dogs.

If there is a significant threat of rain, the event will be held on Thursday night.