CVN Aug. 2010 page 4
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The Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association has been very busy preparing for the Onset Cape Verdean Festival, scheduled to be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 2010 FROM 12:00 TO 6:00 P.M….WITH A “RAIN DATE” SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 155H. The festival this year will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cape Verde and the discovery of the Cape Verde Islands 550 years ago. Local Cape Verdeans and their families and friends throughout New England, the Atlantic coast and as far away as California, Florida, Ohio, Texas and Washington D.C. will celebrate Cabo Verde’s proud heritage and legacy of music, dance, arts and crafts and traditional food. In August 2009, there were over 20,000 in attendance at this one-day “reunion”. Onset Beach is a beautiful area and families arrive early and enjoy a day on the beach and the Festival (across the street). Everyone is encouraged to ARRIVE EARLY…as the program will start PROMPTLY AT 12:00 and families like to “get settled” on the hill above the band shell before it gets too crowded. PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE at 3 SPECIFIED LOTS ALONG ONSET AVE. FOR $5…but the SHUTTLE directly to downtown Onset is FREE!!
The Festival is funded strictly through donations. This year our Gold Sponsors are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Bridgewater State College. Our Major Sponsors are AD Makepeace Companies, The Cruz Companies, Decas Cranberry Products, Inc., Eastern Bank, Marc Anthony’s LaPizzeria/Nana’s/ Salerno’s, NSTAR Electic-Gas, and the Town of Wareham Community Events Committee.
All the available spots for Food Vendor spots have been filled and it is expected that more than 70 Merchandise Vendors will be filling the remaining spots. A large covered area will be set up near the Food Court area for families to eat. Vendors can contact Mike Roderick at 508-789-8726.
Kathy Canute, Entertainment Chair, has assembled 3 exciting Cape Verdean Groups to perform for this afternoon of Cape Verdean song, dance and food. The highlight of the afternoon will be the Mendes Brothers scheduled to perform at 4:00 pm. Monte Cara a Cape Verdean group will open the afternoon and Ze Rui with his group of musicians and vocalists will perform at 2:00 pm.
A Festival Program of more than 90 pages will be prepared…and includes information about the Republic of Cape Verde, a Creole language chart, and favorite Cape Verdean
recipes. Also included are Business Ads and Family Memorials. For information regarding placing an Ad or Memorial in the Program, contact Virginia Lopes at 508-295-2646.
On Sunday, August 8th, OCVFA will hold an Invitation Only Reception to recognize all of our Sponsors, Business Partners and 100 Club Members. The Donor Appreciation Celebration will be held at the Riverside in Middleboro from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Candida Rose & Vintage Soul” will entertain with great music. There will be lots of great appetizers and dancing fun throughout the afternoon. Each contributor will be given special recognition. Anyone joining the 100 Club will be invited to attend. For information on the Reception, call 508-295-2646. For further information…contact Tiny Lopes at 508-195-2646. Questions can be emailed to…..onsetcapeverdeanfestival@gmail.com
The Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association is a 501c3 non profit organization. Last year following the 2009 Festival, after all expenses had been paid, the OCVFA membership voted to provide scholarships to 5 (five) Wareham High School students and a Bridgewater State College student. Additionally, donations were made to other non profit programs…such as the Children of Cape Verde, Jr. Varsity Basketball Assn., Oak Grove Cape Verdean Cultural Center, OBA Concert Series, Children’s Christmas Fund, Sister
City Project, and Wareham Crime Watch. OCVFA also donated funds for improvements at the Onset VFW and recently donated the funds (and labor) to paint the Onset Band Shell and build a “deck” in front of the stage.
The Onset Cape Verdean Festival is a fun family day with non-stop music, 70 merchandise vendors and 20 vendors in the food court selling a variety of Cape Verdean specialties and American favorites.
Onset Cape Verdean Festival
August 14th, 2010
The Festival is a FREE event that is supported through donations. DONATIONS CAN BE MAILED TO OCVFA, PO BOX 722, ONSET, MA 02558. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…CONTACT TINY LOPES AT 508-295-2646 OR CONTACT MICHAEL RODERICK AT 508-789-8726.