Seen from the sky, these exclusive pictures and video show the sprawling set-up of Barrack Obama's 60th birthday celebrations - and on the ground some of the crème de la crème of the entertainment, sports and political worlds are starting to arrive.
With canopies and catering stations that dwarf the Obama's mansion, DailyMail.com can reveal the true scale of the party that, according to the former president's spokesman, was scaled back from a 500-person extravaganza to a small affair only for family and close friends
Stars also began rolling into Martha's Vineyard Friday afternoon, with the island's airport abuzz with private jets and helicopters flying in ahead of the party expected to take place Saturday.
Biggest among the arrivals so far, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen who flew in just after 3:00pm Friday seen here in these exclusive pictures.
Dwayne Wade and Gabriel Union, Don Cheadle and current presidential enjoy for climate John Kerry was also spotted arriving on Martha's Vineyard.
DailyMail.com has learned that Jay-Z and Beyoncé are already on the island as is George Clooney who, along with Oprah Winfrey, are just some of the big names believed to have made the final cut on the truncated guest list.
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The vast main tent stands out over surrounding mansions on Martha's Vineyard
A greenhouse tent was one of many temporary structures put up around the Obamas' home ahead of the party
The giant tent dominates the local landscape, and the open sides showed workers setting up within
Outdoor chairs and couches were set up for guests ahead of Saturday's party
Crowds of workers continued to erect tents as celebs flew on to the island for the party
Aerial shots showed staff setting out chairs and tables in the giant main tent
Former senator and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry was also spotted along with television presenter and comedian Stephen Colbert. Both men have homes on the island.
And as the stars flew in the tents kept going up.
These exclusive images and video obtained by DailyMail.com show the vast marquee being erected behind the Obama's waterfront property as workmen busily put up the canvas and set up catering equipment as the clock to the big event ticked down.
Workers quickly moved to close the canvas sides of the main tented area in a bid to conceal the set up within with tables and chairs in place and décor well underway.
From above the vast main tent stands out over surrounding mansions on Martha's Vineyard as one of the most obvious and overwhelming structures.
Musician Questlove of The Roots is among the guests expected to attend and perform and has, according to Fox News, also provided a meat-free menu for guests.
The menu is said to include Spam Musubi made with plant-based faux-beef and faux-pork and Eeat Just's plant based eggs.
Cheesesteak Eggrolls made with Impossible 'beef' and 'cheese sauce,' from Perfect Day Inc will also be offered.
Chrissy Teigen is pictured arriving on the island of Martha's Vineyard with and her son Miles and a stack of luggage
Teigen's husband John Legend was seen with their bags as the couple arrived ahead of the party
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade are seen arriving in Martha's Vineyard ahead of the party
Late Show host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn were also seen arriving the day before the star-studded event
Don Cheadle arrives ahead of Obama's 60th birthday bash in Martha's Vineyard wearing a hat and shades
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Fields flew into Martha's Vineyard before the event
But for those wanting a real taste of what the Vineyard can offer DailyMail.com has learned that there will also be stations with oyster shuckers to provide the best of the cape's fresh shellfish.
Preparations for the scaled back birthday bash this weekend have been underway all week at the Obamas' waterfront property where the former president had planned to host 500 friends, donors, former administration members, relatives, and celebrities.
But the birthday boy was forced to drastically cut the guest list trimming it down to just 'family and close friends,' thanks to a surge in the Covid-19 Delta variant that saw the planned party draw criticism from many quarters.
Television presenter and comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn already have a home on the island
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade arriving at Martha Vineyard ahead of the star-studded party
John Legend is on car-seat duty as he and Chrissy Teigen arrive with their children for Obama's party
Presidential enjoy for climate John Kerry was pictured arriving with his dogs and wearing a mask
One local businessman on Friday quipped that Obama has an expanded definition of what constitutes a 'close friend.'
'His close friends apparently include his golfing buddies, politicians, celebrities. Those people are here on the island and I doubt he'll be turning them all away,' the local said.
'He wants people to think this is going to be small and intimate, but I don't think we have the same definition of intimate.'
Seen for the first time since his birthday on Wednesday, Obama joked with DailyMail.com: 'Just make sure you get a good picture of me!' as he enjoyed a round of golf yesterday afternoon.
Workers quickly moved to close the canvas sides of the main tented area in a bid to conceal the set up
Workers quickly moved to close the canvas sides of the main tented area in a bid to conceal the set up within with tables and chairs in place and décor well underway
These exclusive images and video obtained by DailyMail.com show workers busily put up the canvas and set up catering equipment as the clock to the big event ticked down
It seems the Obamas are still preparing to host a large number of guests as huge tents and large party arrangements were seen being made on Friday afternoon
Truckloads of supplies and equipment were brought in for the high-profile bash
The president emerged from the family's $12million estate shortly after noon Thursday. Making the most of a break in the weather after a rainy start to the day, he took to the greens of Farm Neck Club on the edges of the town of Oak Bluffs.
The 60-year-old joined the club which boasts that it is 'fully organic,' with ground keepers using no chemicals or pesticides, in 2016.
The course also encourages caddies not carts and the president and his three companions towed the line and walked the course.
Membership costs $12,000 a year on top of a $350,000 initiation fee and is currently at full capacity with 305 members.
Dressed in mottled navy polo shirt and navy slacks, he a wore a silver trimmed navy baseball cap that appeared to be a light-hearted birthday gift and bore the numbers 44 and 60 - a nod to his presidency and age.
Security is seen alone the shoreline behind the Obama residence on the eve of his 60th birthday party in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard
Preparations for the scaled back birthday bash this weekend have been underway all week at the Obamas' waterfront property where the former president originally planned to host 500 friends, donors, former administration members, relatives, and celebrities
He cut a svelte and casual figure as he spent the afternoon with friends. He then rounded off his day with a trip to family favorite The Barn, a bowling bistro and bar.
The venue had been closed for the day to allow for security sweeps and the rainy evening was peppered with many disappointed would-be diners and bowlers who hadn't got the memo and had to be turned away by security.
Guests began to arrive for the low key event shortly after 7pm with a handful making their way into the red wood building on the edge of Oak Bluffs.
The former president arrived solo at 7:45, bare-headed and masked, he wore a rain jacket, chinos and Stan Smith shoes.
Michelle and the girls were not with him for what appeared to be more of a low-key boys night after an afternoon of golf.
The muted thwump of music and bowling balls could be heard long into the night with Obama finally emerging shortly before 11pm.
Secret Service looked on from the course perimeter and former White House photographer Pete Souza was there on the course to memorialize the day as the man who clocked up more than 300 rounds as president indulged his passion for the game across five hours of play.
Obama was seen for the first time since he turned 60 Wednesday in these exclusive pictures and video showing the former president enjoying a round of golf near his home in Martha's Vineyard
