Photos show the Martha's Vineyard that welcomed guests to former President Barack Obama's scaled-down 60th birthday bash
John L. Dorman
- After a plan to host hundreds for his 60th birthday, former President Barack Obama held a "significantly" scaled-back event.
- The outdoor celebration on Saturday was "planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines," a spokeswoman for Obama said.
- But Obama faced pressure to cut down his party size amid concerns over the hyper-contagious delta variant.
- Photos show guests arriving at Martha Vineyard for the star-studded birthday bash.
Martha's Vineyard has long been a popular summertime destination, and former President Barack Obama's affinity for the island goes back to the early years of his White House tenure.
Lori Fisher of Martha's Vineyard said she believes a 60th birthday is an incredible milestone.
One resident, Lori Fisher, constructed a banner for Obama because she turned 60 years old in 2019 and felt it was a major milestone.
She said she only saw the former president on the island once, six years ago, when his car passed by. She said she also saw former first lady Michelle Obama walk into a bookstore about two years ago.
"I figure one day I will actually meet them … hopefully," she said. "I was hoping he would stop by and sign the banner."
A sign commemorating Lori Fisher's son, who died suddenly a few years ago, is usually hanging in place of the current Obama banner. She will switch banners in a few days and replace it with the sign that memorializes her son.
Nancy's is a popular Martha's Vineyard dining destination.
Nancy's Restaurant, an Oak Bluffs institution, has been in operation since 1960 and boasts stunning views of the harbor. The former president has visited Nancy's in the past, and first daughter Sasha Obama worked at the restaurant one summer while still in high school.
The Winnetu Oceanside Resort was originally set to host a larger gathering to kick off the former president's birthday weekend.
According to the New York Times, Obama was scheduled to kick off his birthday party on Friday at the Winnetu but scaled it back in the last few days.
The Rev. Al Sharpton arrived Saturday. He has been a fixture in Black politics for decades and even ran for president himself in 2004.
The former president may have scaled back his birthday party, but there were still a range of guests who made it out to his Edgartown property.
Authorities kept watch on Saturday at an access road near the Obama property in Edgartown.
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