Fall Fun, for Shore

The fun doesn't end with beach season, which is replete with festivals, fireworks and all other manner of fun. In fact, many communities along the Jersey shore hold events to draw you to the coast after the kids are back in school. In the fall, the temperatures are moderate, the water warm and hotels rates a fraction of their summer peak. Here are some post-Labor Day shore events.

· Sept. 8. Long Branch Day. Ride on a firetruck, walk on stilts or participate in contests -- boccie, horseshoes and tennis -- at Jerry Morgan Memorial Park (91 Liberty St.). Info: 732-571-6545, http://www.visitlongbranch.com.

· Sept. 14-16. Wings and Water Festival in Stone Harbor. The Wetlands Institute (1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.) opens its 6,000 acres for guided walks, hands-on wildlife encounters and a craftapalooza of carvers and model builders. $10. Info: 609-368-1211, http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org.

· Sept. 15. Festival of the Sea in Point Pleasant. Stock up on beach toys for next year at end-of-summer discounts while dining on skewered shrimp, crab cakes or paella along Arnold and Bay avenues. Free. Info: 888-772-3862, http://www.pointpleasantbeach.com.

· Sept. 15-20. Cape May Food & Wine Festival. Tasting at the Physick Estate (1048 Washington St.), classes and seminars ($25 each) and the People's Choice Chowder Contest. Info: 800-275-4278 or 609-884-5404, http://www.capemaymac.org.

· Sept. 20-23. Boardwalk Classic Car Show in Wildwood. Custom, street rod, antiques and import -- see them all. Free. Info: 609-523-8051, http://www.thundermoto.com.

· Sept. 27-30. Wildwood by the Sea Film Festival. This event, in its first year, will include premieres of "Airplay," about radio pioneers, and "The Wages of Spin," chronicling the 1952-63 Philadelphia music scene. There will also be films on giant screens on the beach and nightly concerts; costs vary. Info: 609-729-9453, http://www.wildwoodbytheseafilmfest.com.

· Sept. 29-30. Mid-Atlantic Blues and Music Festival in Atlantic City. Hear New Orleans brass bands, Chicago blues, jazz and R&B from 11 a.m. each day at Bernie Robbins Stadium; advance tickets, $30 daily or $55 for two days ($35/$70 at the door). Info: 888-333-3091, http://www.bubbamac.com.

· Oct. 5-7. Italian Street Festival in Seaside Heights. Grant Avenue becomes a sea of vendors--cannoli, anyone?--and crafters; on Sunday, there's a Columbus Day parade at 1 p.m. Info: 800-732-7467, http://www.seasideheightstourism.com.

· Oct. 5-14. Victorian Week (yes, it's 10 days) in Cape May. The city celebrates Victoriana with tours of restored buildings and fashion shows, brass band concerts, murder-mystery dinners, antiques and craft shows, lectures and workshops. Info: 800-275-4278, http://www.capemaymac.org.

· Oct. 19-21. Fabulous '50s Celebration in Wildwood. Chubby Checker did the Twist here first; you can, too, at a convention-center sock hop ($10), free boardwalk street fair with live bands, a concert featuring Bobby Rydell, the Coasters ("Poison Ivy") and others ($40), and a free music awards show with '50s icons. Info: 888-729-0033, http://www.gwoc.com/concerts2/html.

· Nov. 2-4. Sherlock Holmes Weekend in Cape May. Embark on a search-for-clues tour full of mystery and intrigue, with prizes for best sleuths; cost varies per activity. Info: 800-275-4278, http://www.capemaymac.org.

· Nov. 3. Trail of Two Cities Run/Walk in Ocean City. A once-a-year opportunity to cross the Ninth Street Bridge and Causeway between Ocean City and Somers Point on the mainland. Info: 800-232-2465, http://www.oceancityvacation.com.

-- Sue Kovach Shuman