Onset’s annual Harvest Moon Festival will return this year featuring familiar favorites like live music, local vendors and plenty of food trucks – but this year there will be no fireworks display to paint the bay in colors.

According to Onset Bay Association President Kat Jones it takes an incredible amount of volunteers and money to hold a fireworks show and the organization is lacking both this year.

Jones explained pyrotechnics can cost $25,000 and that a police detail can be another $15,000.

She added that what the organization really needs is more volunteers who can dedicate the time to make a fireworks display happen. Already, explained Jones, the festival’s volunteers clean up litter, set up fences and coordinate with public safety departments.

“None of this is impossible,” said Jones. “It's just a lot of work and a lot of money for a 20-minute show that I know is wonderful and people love, but it's not sustainable."

Jones encouraged anyone who wants to take on the responsibility of planning and fundraising for the fireworks to contact the Onset Bay Association. She said she would be happy to sit down with anyone who wants to consider it.

The Harvest Moon Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 186 Onset Ave.

One of the biggest new additions for this year will be a petting zoo through the Fairhaven-based Blazing Saddles Pony Parties, an animal sanctuary that brings animals to events for entertainment and educational purposes.

Jones said they will bring "goats and duckies and all kinds of cool critters."

Returning this year will be the festival’s car show. Jones said she is expecting a larger turnout of over 200 classic cars. She added that the first 100 cars that show up will receive a free dashboard plaque.

The Harvest Moon Festival isn’t complete unless the bandshell is full of music. This year’s live bands will feature some familiar faces like “Daddy O!” and “Band of Brothers” as well as some new acts like “Miss Julia Violet,” who according to Jones does a lot of original work, and Grateful Dead tribute band “Rose War Fan.”

Despite some of the challenges that can affect a large event like this one, Jones, said she recognizes the importance of this event and what it can do for Onset after the summer tourism boom.

"We need a boost in tourism in September when there's absolutely nothing going on but we have perfect weather and it's still kind of a summer vibe," said Jones.

If Onset’s “perfect” September weather doesn’t hold, the rain date for the Harvest Moon Festival will be Sunday, Sept. 29.

On street parking will be free during the festival and additional parking will be available at Hynes Field, Wareham Ave. East Wareham. The grassy area behind Lopes Playground for parking as well. Jones added that there will be a shuttle from Water Wizz to the bandshell and parking will be free at Water Wizz.

The Onset Bay Association is always looking for volunteers for the event, according to Jones. For more information, contact Kat Jones at 508-725-2657 or email onsetvillage@gmail.com.