The beaches of Onset were filled with people who braved threatening skies on Saturday to see more than 1,000 flares light the night around Onset Bay at the annual Illumination Night event.

Organizer Amy Hughes, of Brockton, who has been organizing Illumination for the last 15 years, estimated there were a couple thousand people at the event. Hughes said the weather turned out perfectly, partially because of the rain.

“It’s a fire hazard … if it’s too dry, you can’t have it,” Hughes said.

Hughes said there were about 1,200 flares this year, and that 20 or 30 volunteers came out to help with the event. Hughes said they mainly consist of family and friends.

“Every section [of Onset Bay], there’s a person,” Hughes said. “I used to volunteer for … our beach … and then I took it on, to make sure it didn’t get lost.”

Onset Bay Association Treasurer and history buff Linda Hannon estimates Illumination Night has been around for at least a century. Instead of flares lit along the water's edge, Hannon said it was originally done with lanterns on residents' porches.

Hughes said she loves the event, because of its community focus.

“Even though this is a tourist town, [Illumination] has a lot to do with Onset, and the people who love Onset,” Hughes said. “It brings together the community.”

Hughes’ husband, Chris Hughes, said he and his wife had been awake and setting up flares since 8 a.m. Saturday morning, because Illumination is his wife’s “passion.”

“I say, ‘I love you more than bacon,’ but this is the last time I am doing this!” he said.