The Onset Bay Association will hold its annual meeting and membership kick-off on Thursday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post, located at 5 Gibbs Ball Park Road.

"We're looking for new members, and we welcome anybody who wants to see what we're all about," said Onset Bay Association President Mary Lou Payton.

The Onset Bay Association (OBA) has been in operation since 1993. The nonprofit showcases Onset Village with annual family-friendly events, and depends on donations from businesses and private individuals. It has 400 individual members and 60 business members.

"We want people to see what a beautiful place this is," Payton said. "The village has a lot to offer."

A social event with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will precede the annual meeting. The association will then discuss last year's expenses, as well as the budget for the upcoming year's events. Officers, including a treasurer, secretary, and president, will be elected for the association's nine-person board.

"We need some new, young, energetic individuals," said Payton. "Most of our board members are retirees or about to retire."

Payton, who has served as president for five years, is stepping down from the position to do some traveling with her newly-retired husband, Ed, but said she'll still remain very involved with the organization.

"This is an organization that I absolutely love," Payton said. She has been involved with the association since it formed in 1993.

Payton said she is proud of what she has accomplished as president.

"When I did take over, we were in financial trouble," she said. "I've been able to keep us pretty much in the black for my presidency."

Payton thanked the town its help with Onset Bay Association events.

"The various departments have been very helpful in making our events successful," Payton said.

The Onset Bay Association has 10 summer events on the docket for this year, as well as one fall and one winter event. Summer is kicked off in June with the second annual Escape the Cape Triathlon and the Kayak Poker Run. The annual fireworks, a joint venture of the OBA, Wareham Village Association, and the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce, takes place in July.

Illumination Night and the Lantern Festival also take place in July, and are being held in conjunction with a new wine, beer, and food-tasting event called 1,000 Lights. Those three events are scheduled on the same day as the Jazz Festival, a non-OBA event. Payton said the OBA hopes the convergence of these events will draw even more people to Onset.

In August, the OBA will host the annual Blues Festival and an end-of-summer carnival. A Family Fun Day will be held in October and the annual Christmas in the Park will be held in December.

For more information about the Onset Bay Association, the annual meeting, or upcoming events, contact the OBA at 508-295-7072.