All the staples of a classic carnival are now in Onset.

A Ferris wheel, cotton candy, myriad test-your-luck games, and, according to more than a few teenagers, the best ride of all of them all — The Thriller.

The big green machine looms large and intimidating among other rides at the Dudley Brown VFW, hiding those inside from onlookers. While the riders may not be visible, the results of their visits to The Thriller can certainly be seen as they exit the spinning monstrosity.

The entire carnival will be open again Thursday and Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

“The best so far has been The Thriller,” said David Doucette, 14, of Wareham. “It puts you flat up on the wall, and it starts to spin, and you’re stuck up against the wall in mid-air.”

Doucette and others both young and old spent the evening checking out the various offerings of the Carnival, presented by the Onset Cape Verdean Festival..

“So far, so good — especially for the first night,” said Mike Roderick, one of the event’s organizers.

“I’m impressed."

So were others.

“She’s having a blast,” said Reggie Griffin of Wareham, whose 4-year-old daughter Brenna rode the merry-go-round.

“I want to do it again,” said Brenna after climbing out of a little red van on the carousel.

“I’m having fun!” yelled Alandre Miranda to a group of friends from another one of the spinning, gyrating mechanical devices.

The carnival precedes the Onset Cape Verdean Festival, which takes place on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lillian Gregerman Band Shell in Onset.

One of the biggest events of the year in Wareham, the festival celebrates the music, food, and culture of the country and people of Cape Verde.