The sun beat down on the Onset Bandshell as the breeze carried the rummy, soulful tones of the musicians onstage over the lively crowd at the Onset Blues Festival.

It was quite a change from last year, which Onset Bay Association Treasurer Linda Hannon described as “cold and wet.”

Hannon said she saw at least 500 people show up well before 3 p.m. – quite a crowd for so early in the day, which she chalked up to more varied advertising this year.

“People started showing up at 8 a.m.,” Hannon said. “This one guy goes, ‘I’ve got my chair on the beach, I’ve got my chair up here … and alls I’m gonna do is go back and forth all day long.’ And I’m like, ‘Good for you!’”

Association Vice President Kat Jones later said she estimated there to be more than 1,000 people at the festival, and that she expected more after 5 p.m.

Hannon said all bands but the headliner were from the area.

“We try to get as many local bands as we can,” Hannon said. “[We want to] find local talent that draws these kinds of crowds from outside Onset, and let them see Onset, and see what we have.”

Hannon also said it was the first time in her six years working with the Onset Bay Association and helping to put on the festival that they sold out of vendors’ spots, and had to add more. She estimated there were over 60 different vendors at the festival.

Elaine Vantangoli and Terry Page, of Kingston, said it was their first time at the Onset festival.

“It just turned out perfect,” Page said. “It’s a nice scene. I think the park’s nice, with all the trees and shade.”

“We will definitely put it on the calendar and make it back for another year,” Vantangoli said.

Hannon’s favorite aspect of the festival was that the venue allowed for everyone to listen to the music.

“The fact we can do this – it’s the community. Look at the Bluffs: if you couldn’t afford to get in … you can still come and enjoy the music,” Hannon said. “I like the fact that this venue exists. We take it for granted sometimes.”