Onset Cape Verdean Festival will return to renovated bandshell

The Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association will host the 23rd annual Onset Cape Verdean Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 12 to 6 p.m.

The festival will take place at Onset's Lillian Gregerman Bandshell, which is expected to reopen next week after renovations. It will be free for all to attend.

Tiny Lopes, who manages public relations for the festival, said he expects “close to 15,000” people to attend. He said people come from all across the country for the festival, as far as California and Washington State.

“They come back because it’s basically what we call a great family reunion,” Lopes said.

Cape Verde entered the worldwide spotlight after its soccer team’s success in the World Cup. “Soccer has really put us on the map,” Lopes said.

While he doesn’t expect any players to attend the festival, he said the Cape Verdean soccer team will be honored in the festival’s promotional materials.

Visitors will hear music acts like John Miranda and his Band, and entertainer ZE RUI perform on the stage throughout the day.

Around the bandshell, visitors will be able to shop from 70 vendors and eat food from 20 food trucks, some of which offer Cape Verdean food.

Lopes said that the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association will award 10 $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school students during the festival.

There is limited parking available in Onset. A free shuttle will transport people from Stevie B’s restaurant to the bandshell between 12 and 6:30 p.m. Riders can also take the Ride Circuit shuttle between Wareham Village and Onset. 

If needed, the rain date for the event is Sunday, Aug. 9.

Lopes hopes people will come out to celebrate Cape Verdean culture and history throughout the day. 

“We ask people when they come to bring their blankets, bring whatever, and come and enjoy the day and enjoy the food. Enjoy meeting new friends, old friends,” he said.