The Onset Family Carnival will begin sooner than anticipated, and sponsor Theresa O'Neill said "it's all good news."

Though the flyers around town say the carnival will be held Aug. 10 to 12, the entertainment will begin Friday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.

Cushing Amusements, the company that puts the carnival together, is currently setting up in Lopes and Hynes fields in Onset.

O'Neill went on record to say that there was "not anything underhanded, it was just an opportunity that arose."

According to O'Neill, the delay and confusion of dates stemmed from acquiring permits with the town.

On Aug. 3, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan approved an amended permit that O'Neill requested.

"What happened is, Larry Cushing had a cancellation of a carnival that he always goes to prior to Onset," said O'Neill. "So it was perfect that this year there was also a vacancy."

Cushing Amusements, who sets up the carnival, gave notice to O'Neill on Friday, July 29 that it would be able to bring the carnival early.

Since Town Hall is closed on Fridays, O'Neill couldn't get in touch with anyone until Monday.

"They found out about it on Monday morning and already they said 'yes' by Wednesday, all approved," she said. "I have to give all the credit to Janet Wilson at Town Hall and the Police Department. To do it literally in like a day, that is really great."

O'Neill also had to secure permission from the Onset Blues Festival, which will be on Saturday Aug. 6, since the festival normally uses Lopes Field for parking.

There will still be parking at Hynes Field, but Lopes Field will be used for the carnival.

O'Neill hopes to make the carnival an annual event and fundraiser, at the same time every year.

This is the second year of the event. In the first year, all the proceeds went to the Wareham Boys and Girls Club. This year, the Onset Bay Association will receive the proceeds.

The carnival will run from Aug. 5 to 12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.