Little village big celebrations

by Sean McCarthy

Onset knows how to make your summer memorable & enjoyable.

Located on picturesque Onset Bay, the idyllic setting of the “Gateway to the Cape” promises to once again deliver fun for families and guests of all ages. In addition to the events that will fill its calendar throughout July and August, the Onset experience includes a variety of opportunities for dining and shopping, as well as beachgoing and ocean enjoyment.

From pizza to seafood to ice cream, Onset village provides an array of enjoyable foods including a breakfast spot and waterfront dining. Gift shops are available for browsing, including the work of local artists, while boutique hotels are available for those who wish for an extended stay. An hour from Boston and Providence, the village also offers the scenic Onset Beach where you can spend a morning or an afternoon. If you want to take to the ocean, kayaks and boats are available for rent. Both free parking and affordable parking are available.

And those who are in search of even more Onset activities have many opportunities throughout the season.

Starting on Saturday, July 1, the Onset Pier will be the site of the annual Blessing of the Fleet. Beginning at 10 a.m., the event will kick off the summer with as many as 40 boats receiving a holy water blessing from a priest, which is followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.

Immediately following the blessing, the Pier will be the location of a Kids’ Parade.

“The Kids’ Parade is an adorable spectacle,” says Kat Jones, Executive Director of the Onset Bay Association. “It’s an over-the-top opportunity for kids to strut their stuff and parade around the pier with their decorated bicycles, pets, and doll carriages.”

On Saturday, July 15, Onset Beach will be the location for Family Beach Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this free event will include the local sand sculptor, Rodney the Sandman, helping kids and adults create their own sand creations on the beach. The event will include beach toys to help people indulge themselves in their sand art. The beach is located at 186 Onset Ave.

Music fans have a lot of opportunities to enjoy themselves as well. On Wednesday nights throughout July and August, the Lillian Gregerman Band Shell will host a variety of musical acts from throughout the area. Located at 1 Union Ave, the free concerts will last from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For a list of entertainers you can consult the Association’s website, onsetbay.org.

Another unique Onset offering is the annual Illumination Night. The event that was first held 100 years ago as a welcoming to retuning sailors and fishermen, will be held on Saturday, August 5 and is open to the public. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Bayview Park next to the Pier at 186 Onset Ave, the evening will offer Balloon Art for kids by the group “What the Fun, Inc.” The night will also include music from the 22-piece brass band, The Second Line Social Aid Pleasure Society,” which will be performing at the Park’s gazebo. From 8:15 to 9 p.m. LED-lighted dancers, Circus Dynamics, will entertain visitors. The evening will culminate with the lighting of 1,000 red flares that will surround the perimeter of the bay, creating a low-key atmosphere as a salute to the unofficial end of summer. The flares will glow for 30 minutes.

Big bash

One of Onset’s largest events is the annual Cape Verdean Festival. Held on Saturday, August 12, this free event will start at 11 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. Located at the Band Shell across from the Pier, the event is expected to draw upwards of 9,000 visitors from around the country who will enjoy Cape Verdean music, food and merchandise from as many as 80 vendors. A tented area with tables and chairs will be available. Kathy Andrews will perform the National Anthem and Candida Rose will sing the Cape Verdean National Anthem. Music will be provided by Xaxe & Da Boys Band, and Milton Tavares & Friends featuring Calu Bana and Fantcha.

“This is a Cape Verdean family reunion,” says Tiny Lopes, one of the event organizers and a Wareham native. “It’s the largest Cape Verdean festival in America. People come every year from California to Florida to enjoy reconnecting with family and friends. Over the years we’ve been able to do this event thanks to the support of local businesses, politicians, and the town.”

Parking for the festival will be at Lopes Field and Hines Field with a free shuttle that will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, August 13.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to channel your inner artist, Onset’s Ninth Annual “Chalk Full O Fun” event will once again enliven the village’s atmosphere. On Saturday, August 19, guests can purchase a $5 box of pastel chalk and decorate a 4-x-4-foot sidewalk square with the design of their own creation. In addition to prizes for different age groups, there will be a juried craft fair along with live music. Held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event results in the creation of a massive public art display with the creative contributions of as many as 200 artists. This year the event will include a featured artist, Amanda Sellars.

For more information about summer in Onset, consult the Onset Bay Association at onsetbay.org.