The Oak Bluffs Association, established in 1990 to improve tourism and enrich the quality of life for Oak Bluffs community members, traces its ancestry to 1977 when the first Tivoli Day was launched. President Dennis daRosa credits Ed Coogan and Mike Wilde for the unofficial holiday when they hosted a criterium, a bike race held on a short course around closed-off city streets. Theirs took place around Ocean Park, often with kiddies racing bicycles, tricycles and bikes with training wheels around the Flying Horses block. The word criterium has a French background from the early 1970s. The bike races included those big front wheel bikes that were called penny farthings, with the large front and small rear wheels named for British penny and farthing coins, one much larger than the other. Appropriately, these bikes were invented back in the Victorian era, when Oak Bluffs became popular, and have been seen on Tivoli Day in recent years.

The name Tivoli comes from Tivoli Gardens, a famous amusement park in Copenhagen that was given to the original Cottage City Casino when it was renamed the Tivoli. Lasting from 1907 to when it was torn down in 1964 to make room for the old town hall (now the police station), the Tivoli sparks fond memories for many of music and dancing and, if you’re old enough, all sorts of diversions and expositions. The celebration in Oak Bluffs couldn’t possibly be more aptly named and the welcome closure of Circuit avenue gets better and better, thanks to the work and efforts of the Oak Bluffs Association with President Dennis daRosa, director Christine Todd, vice president Renee Balter and its 166 committed members.

Last year over 5,000 people attended Tivoli Day. This year, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, bands will be at both ends and in the middle of Circuit avenue, with seating near the vacant but delicately decorated Seasons. The 37th season-ending Tivoli Day extravaganza features entertainment from the Jelly Roll Horns, DCLA, and Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. More quiet music is planned for Healey Square, with big bands and dancing. Visiting singer-songwriters the Nashville Hitmakers are expected to perform on the square. Music outside of the post office brings memories of when Healey Square was open to traffic and closed some Saturday nights for block parties. Tables will be set up on Circuit avenue for food and beverages served by Beetlebung, Coop de Ville, Sharky’s, Slice of Life and the Ritz. Artisans will be well represented and one might even find a T-shirt or two on sale, along with all variety of goods.

Coinciding with Tivoli Day, please support the Jena Pothier Flying Horses Scholarship Fund — Jena’s Ring Challenge is at the Flying Horses tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. There is a $10 per player entry fee with age-based competitions, and all entrants receive a commemorative brass ring. The challenge raises funds for scholarships in memory of the late Jena Pothier, courtesy of her parents Terry and David Pothier.

On Friday evening, Providence’s Extraordinary Rendition Band again led off Best Fest with a parade up Circuit avenue and around Kennebec, and a surprise detour through Giordano’s Clam Bar. This is a very energetic group of folks.

Last week’s Wind Festival, brainchild of Oak Bluffs Association board of directors’ member Holly Alaimo, was blessed with no rain, favorable winds and was a colorful exhibit of over 150 kites. Former Oak Bluffs Association director Bob Glover (the Kite Man) won for the biggest kite and Peggy Zablotny won for the best wind sculpture — attached to her head! Steve Zablotny won for the smallest kite, Jennifer Parkinson won for the Unusual Flying Object and the best Gazette kite was won by Arthur Tunnel, who came to the Island just for the day. All children who entered won.

I wish that the Tivoli Day banner was hanging across Circuit avenue instead of the back of the police station where the Tivoli used to be. Wouldn’t it be great if the Best Fest parade was held the evening before Tivoli Day? Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear some of the old Tivoli songs on Tivoli Day? “We did the one-step, the fox-trot and waltz/With sometimes a dip and a whirl; And whenever the band at the Tivoli played, I was with my Tivoli girl...” (Tivoli Girl by Will Hardy).

Giordano’s last night of the season at the restaurant is Saturday.

Keep your foot on a rock.

Send your Oak Bluffs news to Skip@mvgazette.com.