Come to Onset for the Cape Verdean Festival this weekend and join over 20,000 attendees in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cape Verde and the 550th anniversary of the discovery of the Cape Verde Islands.

"There are multiple celebrations going on in Cape Verde, and as Cape-Verdean Americans we are proud of these anniversaries," said "We're going to have a lot of first timers this year, it looks like we're going to have an overflow once again in Onset."

Last year, this one-day "reunion" attracted over 20,000 attendees, mostly from the East Coast. This year, Anthony "Tiny" Lopes, the public relations officer of the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association, is expecting to see members of Cape Verdean communities in Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, Ohio, and even Toronto, Canada.

To accommodate crowds, parking will be available at three specified lots along Onset Avenue for $5. A free shuttle will bring attendees from the lots to downtown Onset.

The event programming begins at noon, but festival organizers recommend arriving early to get a good spot on the hill above the band shell.

Three musical acts are performing at the festival. The Monte Cara Band, a new group from New Bedford, will perform after the festival opens at noon. International performer and festival favorite Ze Rui and his musicians and vocalists will begin 2 p.m. The headlining act will be The Mendes Brothers, who will perform at the festival for the first time this year. Festival organizers bill their music as "a celebration of Cape Verde's history and the victorious journey of her people." The group's newest CD "Porto de Regresso" commemorates the 550th Anniversary of the Cape Verde Islands and promotes unity, culture and reconnection with Africa. It has been commended by the U.S. Congress, the State of California, and the City of Los Angeles for its message of unity and peace.

The festival's program is over 90 pages and includes information about the Republic of Cape Verde, a Creole language chart, and favorite Cape Verdean recipes.

The Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Following the 2009 festival, the event's proceeds provided scholarships and donations to numerous other nonprofits and projects to benefit the community.

This year's festival is sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, Bridgewater State College, A.D. Makepeace Co., Eastern Bank, Marc Anthony's La Pizzeria/Nana's/ Salerno's, NSTAR, The Cruz Companies, and the Wareham Community Events Committee.

"We ask you to bring your money and support the vendors, enjoy the music, enjoy the food, enjoy the camaraderie and just enjoy the day," said Lopes.  "The word is out there, this is one family reunion that you can't miss!"