Onset chalk fest, “the chillest day ever”

Nobody wanted to win a prize at the Onset Chalk-Full-O-Fun Sidewalk Art and Craft Fair.

A judge picked the winner at the end of the fair, but few were particularly concerned with winning. They enjoyed being at the Lillian Gregerman Bandshell on a breezy Saturday, listening to music and drawing.

Many of the more than 100 people who signed up were just as eager to see what the fellow artists came up with as they were to make their own designs.

“It’s really mellow. You get to see a lot of different art,” said Melonie Letter, while working on an abstract art square.

The Onset Bay Association hosted its 12th annual Chalk-Full-O-Fun festival on Saturday, Aug. 15, which event organizer Tammie Glass described as “the chillest day ever.” This year’s theme – “Funsoon! A Storm of Joy!” – encouraged artists to send waves of color and laughter over the bandshell. 

“It’s celebrating joy and fun and whimsy,” said Glass.

The artists each took their own direction. Some drew rockets, cats and characters from “Minions and Monsters.” Others painted elaborate TV show scenes and sunset landscapes. Lain Potter, who won last year’s competition, sketched her crested gecko named Slim Shady. 

The artists got their hands dirty, rubbing chalk in with their fingers to blend colors and create gradients. The veteran festival-goers found ways to make sitting on a sidewalk for hours more comfortable. Some used cushions and knee pads, while others. Asher, 17, started sitting on a skateboard five years ago.

While some people planned their designs days or weeks in advance, others, like historic restorationist Charles Sutkus, freestyled. Even though he didn’t prepare a stencil like in years past, he still wanted to join the festivities. “I don’t miss a season,” he said.

Glass explained that the fair provided more than an artistic outlet. She said it helped promote youth literacy through a book giveaway, and offered free community vendor booths intended to raise awareness for important causes around Wareham.

The fair gave two sidewalk squares in front of a booth for Mia Strong, a group supporting a young girl named Mia Johnson while she undergoes cancer treatments. Attendees signed their names on the sidewalk while volunteers filmed videos to send to Mia to show how the community has her back.

Other vendors sold arts and crafts supplies and offered face painting, which both children and adults partook in.

After a short while, the fair had achieved its goal of covering the bandshell and Onset Park in color and fun.

“Look at all the colors here, the joy of it all,” Glass said. “It’s all positive energy.”

Equestrian instructor Jocelyn Maniglia signed up to draw for the first time this year, joining her daughter who went previously. She drew a large horse telling passersby, “Let’s ride.”

When asked if she would return to the event next year, Maniglia answered unequivocally: “Oh absolutely.”