Under a grand tent on the lawn of Edgartown’s Dr. Daniel Fisher House, Vineyarders feasted on cuisine from the Island’s popular eateries Thursday evening at the 37th annual Taste of the Vineyard.

More than 800 guests and 400 vendors attended the event, with guests arriving in their fanciest outfits, creating a sea of pastel floral patterns and glitter along Edgartown’s Main street.

Cottage City Oysters keeps on shucking. — Ray Ewing

The Taste is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Vineyard Preservation Trust, which owns and maintains 20 historic properties on the Island, including the Dr. Daniel Fisher House, Flying Horses Carousel and The Carnegie Heritage Center.

Special events manager Julie Hatt said she worked extra hard this year to highlight the Trust’s role in the community.

“I think that people sometimes come to this and don’t realize who and why and what we do,” Ms. Hatt said. “So I wanted everyone to see Vineyard Preservation Trust as much as they could.... And when people are walking down the street and see us they think, ‘Oh, that’s the Trust.”

Salt Rock Chocolate brings the sweetness. — Ray Ewing

Mocha Mott’s co-owner Meredith Aldrich hosted a vendor table for her second year in a row. She said she uses the Taste as an opportunity to showcase the cafe’s decadent cupcakes, which often get overlooked by its regular customers, she said.

“I think that a lot of people don’t know that we make cupcakes,” she said. “But we actually do have some kind of special-flavored cupcake every week, so we thought we’d bring plenty for a sampling to let the people know.”

Ms. Aldrich celebrated her 22nd anniversary as a co-owner of Mocha Mott's on Thursday and said that Taste was an excellent way to commemorate the occasion.

Nevette Previd (center), Vineyard Preservation Trust executive director. — Ray Ewing

Other treats at the event included watermelon, mint and feta cups from MV Salads, a variety of cheese selections from MV Cheesery, salmon bites and miniature cakes from the Black Dog Tavern and many more.

“A lot of people who hadn’t been here before reached out to me to serve this year,” said the Trust’s executive director Nevette Previd. “I’m just so impressed by the vendors. We hope that this is an opportunity for them to showcase what they do, dress for success and really put a show on.”

On Saturday, June 17, the Trust hosts the Patrons’ Party and Auction, part two of Taste of the Vineyard benefit. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. For tickets, visit vineyardtrust.org.

More pictures.