The Onset Cape Verdean Festival, which draws more than 20,000 people from all over the country, will take place this Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. in Onset Village.

For the festival to be a success, Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association President Deneen Rose said she can’t stress enough the importance of donations.

Even if it’s just one dollar per person who attends the free festival, she said.

“A lot of people don’t realize that we have to fundraise every year to make it happen,” she said. “Without the donations, there is no festival.”

The festival will feature 15 food vendors, approximately 74 to 100 vendors that will sell a variety of items and music.

Though the festival has a lot of sponsors locally and nationally, such as Bridgewater State University and Marc Anthony’s, sometimes the “bills generate a lot higher than what the sponsors give,” said Rose.

The association recently hosted an appreciation dinner at Salerno’s Seaside Function Hall, where guests were able to buy a plate for $100, bring two guests with them and enjoy a night of food and music.

Other things the association attempts to do is provide scholarships, but Rose said it wasn't able to give away large scholarships this year.

“We do a lot for the community, so we ask that the community help us keep giving,” she said.

In addition to donating a dollar or more during the event, the association is always welcoming new members. To become a member, there is an application to complete and a one-time membership fee. There are three meetings every year. Every October, the association hosts a dinner to say “thank you” to all the members and those who volunteer at the festival.

For more information on the festival or the association, call Michael Roderick at 508-789-8726 or Lynn Spinola at 508-858-8994.

The festival’s rain date is Aug. 14.