Hydrangeas, VP Kamala Harris, and more: Some of our most-read Cape Cod stories of the week

It was a busy week on the Cape and Islands with sporting events and summer fun activities getting underway. From Cape league baseball action to plays, news was being made both outdoors and indoors.

In case you missed it, we've rounded up a showcase of the most read stories the Cape Cod Times website has to offer from the week that was on Cape Cod . This past week, hydrangeas made their beautiful presence felt ahead of an annual event, a longtime Cape Cod fire chief stepped down amid controversy, details were revealed about Vice President Kamala Harris' upcoming Cape visit, and more. Here are the stories you won't want to miss.

This is the year of the hydrangea

This year has turned out to be a good one for hydrangeas , so why not make the most of it and pay a visit to the 10th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival ? The annual garden celebration boasts an abundance of everything hydrangea fans might wish for, from hydrangea talks, classes, art events and workshops, promotions at area nurseries, book signings, parties and soirees, to popular walking tours that offer a one-time chance to see past the garden gate and stroll through a host of private home gardens across Cape Cod.

One-hundred sensational private gardens ― the most ever — will open their gates to visitors on specified days, all described at the festival website . Each location pairs with a nonprofit that receives 100% of the admission proceeds ($5 per garden per visitor). This year, several local food pantries are among the 30 groups that benefit from the tours.

The 10th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival runs July 5-14 at venues throughout Cape Cod. Details of all events and garden tours, including dates and times, are online at CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com .

A summer full of hydrangeas: Thousands of blooms, scores of events at 10th Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

Longtime Provincetown fire chief resigns unexpectedly

Michael Trovato, Provincetown 's fire chief since 1991, is stepping down a year earlier than he originally planned, following a May meeting with town staff.

Trovato met with Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse and Assistant Town Manager Dan Riviello "after both full-time and call/volunteer members of the department contacted me with concerns about the Fire Department," said Morse.

Morse continued: "We did not ask the Chief to resign, nor did we fire him or initiate any disciplinary action against him. In fact, it is the Chief who threatened to resign in that meeting, as he has on numerous occasions in the past when difficult conversations about the department have been had."

Trovato submitted his resignation on June 17, after he was informed that the Select Board would hold an executive session to discuss the personnel issues that had been raised in the department.

For many years, the town had an all-volunteer fire department, which Trovato praised.

According to Morse, "Over the last year, for the first time in history, the town hired 20 full-time Firefighter-EMTs and Firefighter-Paramedics, as part of a long-term plan to supplement the call volunteers and transition to what's called a 'combination department' for Provincetown."

Provincetown fire chief leaves post: 'I sleep with the damn radio': Provincetown fire chief to step down amid controversy

Vice President Kamala Harris expected to attend fundraiser in Provincetown

The upcoming appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris in Provincetown is generating excitement for supporters as a fundraising event 'A Reception with Vice President Kamala Harris' draws near.

The fundraiser will be held at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum on July 20, at a time to be announced, said co-host and sponsor Bryan Rafanelli .

Tickets start at $150, with the priciest option leaping to $150,000 for a “co-chair” position. While the general admission tickets have sold out, Rafanelli said donations as low as $25 have continued to pour in. All funds raised will benefit the Biden Victory Fund , according to the event's flyer.

In addition to refreshments and live entertainment at the event, guests can also expect to rub elbows with high profile politicians in the region including Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu .

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride , who is widely known as the first transgender state senator in United States history, will also be in attendance, said co-host Alix Ritchie .

Aside from raising money, Rafanelli also hopes the event can urge people to vote locally, and for the presidential race in November.

Rafanelli called Provincetown a “melting pot." There’s no question that people in Provincetown care about the United States, he said. "This is the right time right place to bring the vice president here."

VP Kamala Harris scheduled to attend fundraiser in Provincetown: VP Kamala Harris reception in Provincetown follows Jill Biden in 2023

Annual report shows an increase in homelessness on Cape Cod & Islands

The number of homeless people on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard has increased since last year to its highest figure in 10 years, according to the annual point-in-time count released in early June.

The total number of homeless increased to 568 people, 141 more than last year.

The point-in-time count, conducted by the Barnstable County Human Services Department , includes people in emergency shelters, transitional housing, motels (if paid for by an agency), on the street, in cars, in abandoned buildings, and in other places not meant for human habitation. The count is categorized by whether people are sheltered or unsheltered, and whether they are adult individuals, part of a family or an unaccompanied youth, under the age of 18.

One notable increase in population was in emergency assistance shelters, which saw an increase of 34 families and 125 individuals. That increase was due, at least in part, to a temporary housing site opened in Yarmouth in response to the statewide need for additional housing , said Daniel Gray, program manager with the Barnstable County Human Services Department.

Cape & Islands experience increase in homelessness: Homelessness reaches new high for Cape, Vineyard and Nantucket in one-night count

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Hydrangeas, VP Kamala Harris, and more: Some of our most-read Cape Cod stories of the week