Some came for the rides, others the food, many spent their time with the animals, competed in tests of skill and endurance, or put their prize tomatoes on the line with ribbons and pride at stake.

The 161st Agricultural Fair opened Thursday morning in West Tisbury, a tradition that dates back to 1858. Nearly 2,000 people attended that first fair, which was held for one day on October 27, 1858, the traditional harvest season.

The 161st edition of the Agricultural Fair takes place Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20.
 Planning begins in October, when organizers from the Agricultural Society meet for a debrief and begin reserving slots on the Steamship Authority ferry.

This year’s Agricultural Fair poster is designed by Nancy Mulcahy, an Edgartown seasonal resident.

Before this Friday, I had never been to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair.

West Tisbury was the place to be for the 160th annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, where a blend of old and new kept crowds entertained from August 18 to 21.

On Thursday morning, the gates opened for the 160th Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair. And for the next four days, all roads lead to West Tisbury.

Carnival rides have begun to invade into the hayfield on the Agricultural Society grounds as preparations are underway for the 160th annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, which runs August 18 to 21.