Onwards, Onset

By Sean McCarthy

Situated amidst the oceanside splendor of Buzzards Bay with its quaint Victorian charm, Onset Village is a valued destination for tourists and regional guests alike.

In the summer it truly comes to life. August is a particularly festive time for this seaside segment of Wareham, with a wide range of locally-owned restaurants, services, and shopping opportunities. From ice cream and pizza to fresh seafood and waterfront dining, Onset caters to many palates. From beaches and live music to family-friendly outdoor events, it provides uniquely enjoyable experiences. “Onset is simply a magical place,” says Kat Jones, Executive Director of the Onset Bay Association. “It’s a very diverse and welcoming community. We are blessed to have this as a venue where we are able to host events that everyone can enjoy. It’s something very special – it’s a gem.” Live music will be available throughout August at the Onset VFW with the Onset Blues Fest on Sunday, August 8, and every Wednesday evening with the Onset Summer of Love Concert Series. August 4 will feature the Neal McCarthy Band, an electric blues jam band. The following Wednesdays will include the “yacht rock” of Rudderless (August 11), the classic rock of Gunpowder & Lead (August 18), and That Sixties Band (August 25). The Wednesday shows run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Onset VFW is located at 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road in East Wareham, a mile from the Village center. The 28th Annual Onset Blues Fest will be headlined by the Gil Correia Blues Band. The trio is fronted by Correia, a guitarist and vocalist who will also be the event’s emcee. The group is responsible for the 2011 album, “Tattoos and Blues” and will soon travel to east Tennessee to record a full-length album for Cool Tone Records.

The Blues Fest show will include three other bands, Bag Full of Blues from the South Shore area, The Born Yesterday Blues Band, and G & Friends from the New Bedford area. It will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will also include vendors, food vendors, raffles and games such as horseshoes. Tables for eight can be reserved for $60 by calling or texting to 508-725-2657 – otherwise bring your own chair and pay a suggested donation of $5. Traditionally, the Wednesday night concerts and the Blues Fest are hosted at the Onset bandshell, but the shows have been moved to the VFW this year due to renovations being made to the bandshell.

"Onset is simply a magical place"

Art abound

Onset offers other social activities this summer. On Saturday, August 21, a streetart festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Chalk Full O Fun” will be open to artists of all ages and abilities to create chalk art outside the Wareham Town Hall at 54 Marion Road. For $6, artists will be provided a box of multi-colored pastel chalk and their own personal space on the sidewalk to create a design of their own making. This will be the seventh year for the event, which annually attracts about 200 artists. The rain date for “Chalk Full O Fun” is the following day, Sunday, August, 22. “People are so creative,” Jones says. “It’s amazing what you can do with chalk.” The Onset Beach Kite Festival will take place on Labor Day weekend, September 4. For $5, guests of all ages can build and decorate their own kites with markers, to be flown at Onset Beach at 186 Onset Ave. Now in its sixth year, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attracts upwards of 100 participants. On Monday evenings, Shell Point Beach in Onset is the site of a Drum Circle. From 6 to 7 p.m., percussionists of all skill levels are invited to participate. For a suggested donation of $10, and weather permitting, the event is hosted by Sam Holmstock, a

former member of the popular regional band Entrain. “It’s a kind of meditative and relaxed experience,” Holmstock says. “You can get into a groove and stay there, it’s an opportunity for self-expression and it can have therapeutic value.” The Drum Circle draws from two-tothree dozen participants every Monday, playing percussion instruments that they bring to the event. Shell Point Beach will also be the setting for Beach Yoga classes every Wednesday and Saturday mornings, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and lasting for approximately 75 minutes per session. For a $10 donation, guests of all levels are invited to partake in the classes, weather permitting. Children can attend for free. Food and more

There is a variety of food options, most located along Onset Avenue. The Quahog Republic Waterfront Eatery is located at 197 Onset Ave., and features signature items such as “Monsta’ Lobsta’ Rolls,” and “Crunchy Cod Fish and Chips,” along with drinks such as Mai Tais and Bloody Marys. The restaurant also offers a Grab-and-Go market with refrigerated lobster rolls, sandwiches and iced coffees, in addition to mixes for Bloody Marys and Margaritas. Quahog Republic also sells customized t-shirts and sweatshirts. The Quahog Republic also has locations in the New Bedford Historical District at 24 No. Water Street, and in Falmouth at 97 Spring Bars Road. Other eating experiences in Onset include The Pier View Restaurant, a family-owned breakfast restaurant, and Stephen’s Lounge is a neighborhood bar that hosts live music on weekends. The iconic Mark Anthony’s offers trademark pizza and other food items until midnight. Nana’s Ice Cream & Candy Shop, and Cape Cod Lobster Rolls are available, along with Sumo Fresco’s smoothies and juice bar. Be sure to stop into Spider Apparel next door for a unique Onset t-shirt. Stonebridge Bar & Grille on East Blvd. has a casual American menu with an outdoor deck. The Glen Cove Hotel and Bay Room at 167 Onset Ave. offers a yearround seasonal and pleasing menu for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. The 1883 Lounge is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight and features live entertainment. The Italian Market Café is located inside of Trevor’s Gallery & Wine Bar at 144 Onset Ave. Ella’s Restaurant on Cranberry Highway in East Wareham is also an eatery offering Italian foods. Onset shopping destinations include The Happy Zone, which is described as “groovy stuff for your summer experience,” including sweatshirts, t-shirts, and sweatpants, as well as tie-dyed items. You can also grab some great Onset souvenirs at the OBA Office at 196 Onset Ave. which can be reached at 508-295-7072. If art inspires you, Michelle Brodeur offers a pair of galleries in the area with unique pieces by local and regional artists. The Front Yard Gallery at 218 Onset Ave. is a seasonal, open-air opportunity with a variety of hand-made works in a crafts show atmosphere. The Gallery On East is located at 2 East Blvd. and is open year-round with fine crafts, jewelry, paintings, metal sculpture, photography of the area, woodwork, refurbished furniture and outdoor accessories. The Front Yard Gallery features Harris Provisions, a custom-built trolley that serves breakfast and lunch with specialty sandwiches, coffees and beverages. The Gallery On East shares its location with the Onset Bay Trading Post, which offers Onset apparel such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and caps. If you have an interest in the history and scenery of the area, Cape Cod Canal Cruises offers intriguing tours of the renown waterway with an array of package options. Departing from the Onset Town Pier, these narrated sightseeing tours of this national landmark and its points of interest can range from 90 minutes to three hours, with an exploration of the Mass Maritime Academy, The Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, the Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge, Grey Gables, and more. There are one-hour Kids Free tours, in addition to a Cocktail Cruise that includes a picturesque sunset and a cash bar. Sunday afternoons offer a Friends & Family Music Cruise, while Friday and Saturday evenings feature live music with a sunset experience.

If you’re in search of significant relaxation, Ebb & Flow Wellness Center provides massages, facials, reflexology, and yoga classes on the beach. The storefront boutique also sells both professional and handmade results-driven skin care products, as well as jewelry and art Enjoy brunch or dinner with a view at the Glen Cove Hotel and Bay Room

created by local artists. "Whether you are visiting Onset or are a new or long-time resident, Ebb and Flow is a must-have visit and you will leave feeling rejuvenated and relaxed," says owner Karissa Bankston. If you’d like to get in some recreation, Onset has opportunities. Nemasket Kayak Center on 184 Onset Ave. offers rentals and lessons for canoes and kayaks, as well as lessons for stand-up paddling. “It’s very relaxing and easy to get started on the water, we have people being introduced to it every day,” says Roy Edwards, Owner of Nemasket Kayak Center. “Buzzards Bay is beautiful. You can enjoy some spectacular sunsets as well as taking in the scenic wildlife during the day.” If you’re looking to stretch your legs, golf courses are available at the Bay Pointe Club in Onset, and the Little Harbor Country Club in Wareham. Additional businesses in the village and surrounding areas include Riptide Tattoo

& Piercings, Walter’s Barbershop, ACE Hardware, DiVito Realty Inc., Kinlin Grover Real Estate, New England Home

Restoration, and new to town, The Clay Room, a paint-your-own pottery shop. There are multiple parking locations in the Village, including on-street parking for an hourly fee, at the Town Pier, and at the Temple Lot on Union Ave. Free parking is available at Hynes Field, on the corner of Onset Ave. and 10th Street, next to Chuck’s Auto. “Everything is close in Onset Village – you can walk wherever you want to go,” Holmstock says. “It’s summer fun with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”