As people from near and far gathered at Prospect Park and Onset Pier, live music rang out from the bandshell, local restaurants cooked up South Coast classics, over 100 different vendors set up shop and classic car owners showed off their cars at the 3rd annual Harvest Moon Festival.

The festival, hosted Saturday, Sept. 28 by the Onset Bay Association is aimed at bringing the community together and providing people with free entertainment during "these days and times where everything has gotten so expensive," according to Onset Bay Association Executive Director Kat Jones.

"To be able to take your family to a free concert or a free show or a free petting zoo, that matters and it makes a difference in the community," said Jones.

Many families were out with their children and for some, the festival meant more than a day of fun.

Susan Hamblin of New Bedford attended the festival for the first time with her grand nieces and nephew.

"Being here with them means more than you know" said Hamblin. "Their grandma was my twin that passed and so far today has been perfect. They've got it set up awesome for kids, I love it."

One part of the entertainment is the different vendors that were in Prospect Park. People came from near and far to connect with potential customers and sell their goods.

Jessica Gallagher came from Carver with her mom to sell her homemade jewelry and original paintings. Gallagher uses semi-precious gem stones to make earings and bracelets.

Gallagher has collected gem stones and jewelry ever since she was little and began making her own jewelry around six months ago. This was her first time at the festival and she felt the sense of community the event brings.

"I didn't know that there would be so many people," said Gallagher. "It seems like a whole community is here and that's really cool."

Joe Silvia who was selling his handmade wooden toys has felt this too.

"I have a lot of luck here in Onset because this is a family town, I love this place," said Silvia. "It's a nice feeling to have people recognize the work that [I] do and the time that [I] put into it."

Across the street along Onset Avenue and in the Onset Pier parking lot, people crowded around over 200 classic cars.

Paul Dorsey came from Medford to not only show off his car but to take a trip down memory lane and see the cars he grew up admiring.

Dorsey has been to a number of local car shows and he has grown to appreciate the community these shows build.

"Car people are really good people because if you're car isn't working everybody gets together to try and help you fix your car," said Dorsey. "You decide to get your car running well enough to go to car shows and you meet people. From there you make friends and you're going to see them every year at car shows."

Something new that event organizers added this year was a petting zoo from the Fairhaven based animal sanctuary Blazing Saddles Pony Parties.

According to Blazing Saddles owner Keri Wilson, the sanctuary hosts 150 farmed and exotic animals and Wilson brings the animals to events for entertainment and educational purposes.

"This experience has been really good," said Wilson. "All the people are loving it and everybody has been super calm and gentle with the animals."

According to Jones, the festival is largely supported by hardworking volunteers from the local community. Jones added that even though it is hard work, it is still a lot of fun.

"I love being able to throw parties for my community so it's a lot of fun. I like to say it's a lot of work to have this much fun," said Jones.

Jones added the association is always looking for more volunteers.