Finished Object Friday: The Derby and The Best Knitted Man Hat EV-ER!

If you spend any time at all on the Vineyard two words eventually pop up in conversation.

MVDerby.com

"The Derby."
As in: The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby.

The Derby is an annual fishing competition from way back - 1946, in fact.
Anyone can participate, and eventually everyone does.

Andy with Grand Slam pin

Each year the entrance fee gets you the following: a cool hat, a neat circular numbered pin for the cool hat and a chance to beat anyone at the fishing game.

Stakes are high.

For the overall winner of the Shore Fishing division, first prize is a new EASTERN 22 Center Console with option package, motor, and trailer, compliments of Eastern Boats.

And for the Boat Fishing Division - a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup, compliments of the Clay Family Dealerships.

MVTimes.com

 Each evening, the Weigh-In Shack is packed - waiting to see who took first place and fish weights - gotta know what the competition is, after all.

It's all the talk around town, too. Even if you aren't entered. The grocery line, the Bank, the Post Office and at Mocha Motts.  Everywhere. (Even in church!)

Though it would be typical to have such a competition being it's an island and all, and the fishing is great, and everyone wants to catch a Striped Bass at least once in his/her lifetime, what really impresses me is the community comradery.

People actually taking an active part, no matter age or gender in the whole shebang.
I like that.

The Derby is a month-long fishing fest, so I will be reporting in over the next few weeks.
But to celebrate, I have made a hat for a certain someone's birthday (sh! It's a secret until tonight's bash), and I have to say, it is the best Man Hat EV-ER. Handknit, to be sure, by moi :), and the design? Oh La La. Hip enough to please every age, practical enough to quell any weather.
So for my Finished Object Friday, I present:
 The Man Hat!

Have a good one. :)