Passengers travel on a ferry en route to Martha's Vineyard.

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.

Ferry passengers take in the landscape of Oak Bluffs as they approach Martha's Vineyard.

Lori Fisher of Martha's Vineyard said she believes a 60th birthday is an incredible milestone.

Lori Fisher, left, and Sandy Fisher stand beside a sign they made to congratulate former President Barack Obama on his 60th birthday.

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 is a longstanding restaurant known for its seafood and frozen drinks.

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.

A gathering can be seen on the balcony of the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown on August 6, 2021.

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.

Sharpton arrives at the Martha's Vineyard Airport on August 7, 2021.

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.

The road leading to the Obama property in Edgartown.

Authorities kept watch on Saturday at an access road near the Obama property in Edgartown.

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