The Onset Cape Verdean Festival was held on Aug. 13 and thousands of Cape Verdeans and friends of the annual Cape Verdean Festival poured into Onset Beach to enjoy a day focused on Cape Verde’s history, culture and traditions. Families from throughout the United States attended this one day festival. The 14th year of the Onset Cape Verdean Festival under the leadership of the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association was a first class event!

I must acknowledge the support and cooperation of the Town of Wareham and the outstanding service provided by Wareham’s Police Department, along with nearby local law enforcement agencies! The collaboration between these agencies was exceptional. Their presence on the bluffs and perimeter of the park was deeply appreciated. Some may say that security was excessive, however, it was the festival organizers ultimate responsibility to ensure a safe, positive atmosphere. The Town and festival board members felt comfortable with their presence. The officers were professional and their interaction with attendees was positive. With all the recent negativity about the relationship between police and community, I’m proud to say our festival brought out the best both law enforcement and community should be! At the end of the day, as I watched attendees leaving peacefully and joyfully, Chief Kevin Walsh came up to me and said “Tiny…another wonderful and successful festival”!

My response was: “Thank You for your support and commitment to making our annual festival and ‘family reunion’ the best…second to none!”

The entertainment which included singers, musicians and bands were well received by the young and old. A Cape Verdean band and vocalists culminated the event and represented the Mission Statement of the festival’s board: “To promote information and culture about Cape Verdeans; to connect the descendants of Cabo Verde with their culture and homeland; to celebrate the origin, history and culture of the immigrants from Cabo Verde.”

Many festival attendees may not have understood the Creole being sung, but they swayed and danced to the music being played.

More than 80 vendors and 25 food vendors lined the perimeter of the Onset Beach bluffs. The aroma from the various foods (including Cape Verdean dishes) and the tremendous variety of specialty items made “shopping” a very pleasant experience for all! Visitors from out of the area all commented that this was one of the festival “highlights.”

I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work of all the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association board under the leadership of the President Michael Roderick. This event requires many hours in preparation and the membership is committed to doing all that is necessary to make the day successful. We must also thank all our major sponsors, business donations, 100 club members, many individual donations and program ads for the financial support that makes the festival possible.

“Tiny” Lopes

Public Relations Committee

Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association