With a cool, brisk breeze rippling the waters of Vineyard Haven harbor, perhaps the most surprising feature of the annual Sail Martha’s Vineyard seafood buffet and auction was the number of sailors who were not out on their boats for the evening.

The annual Taste of the Vineyard dinner and auction Saturday night turned into a tribute to artist Ray Ellis, who has raised more than $1 million for Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust over more than two decades.

Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust executive director Chris Scott stood in his usual spot onstage with auctioneer Trip Barnes Saturday night, as Mr. Barnes kicked off the Taste of the Vineyard gala auction. With only five items up for bid, it was a light year for the trust. Bidders generally have some two dozen items to choose from.