This past weekend was officially the last weekend of summer.

We managed to catch a few hours on the beach and enjoy the surf.

It's less than a 50-minute drive for me to get to the beach in Atlantic City/Ventnor, so I like getting down there as much as possible any time of year.

Some people only like the shore in summer. The energy is completely different once Labor Day has passed.

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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The traffic is much lighter going to and from on weekends.

You've got a couple of weekends in September to enjoy the ocean while the water is still warm and some of the beaches still have lifeguards.

You don't have the beach to yourself, but there is plenty more room to pick your spot.

The kids are involved with their activities and it's usually an adult and young adult crowd.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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You might find the restaurants a little short-handed because most of their summer help is back at school, but most businesses do a good job finding locals who will pick up the slack. The vibe is different.

Gone is the frenetic pace of trying to find a parking spot and tourists walking in front of your car as you make your way down overcrowded streets.

September is life as it should be at the shore.

Year-round residents call it "local summer" and it's their time to enjoy where they live without a hundred thousand strangers wandering their streets.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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There's also a difference between off-season at the shore from north to south in New Jersey.

South of Bay Head all of the towns are on barrier islands, so year-round living is less prevalent with the exception of Atlantic City.

So some of the towns there tend to really empty out after summer. That also means a lot of the businesses are closed till next May in many cases.

With temperatures barely reaching the 70-degree mark by next weekend at the shore, and the lack of lifeguards from here on out, swimming in the ocean may be out of the question.

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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But the charm of the Jersey Shore, up and down the coast is a year-round treat and you get to enjoy it without all of the noise, traffic, crowds and the searing heat of summer.

The local towns try to keep the party going well into October and beyond. Here is a guide to fall festivals at the Jersey Shore this year.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy only.

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This has to be the best farmers market in New Jersey

If you’re looking for a great farmers market, you have to visit the Summit Farmers Market. This year they have over 50 vendors, offering a large selection of great produce from various local farmers, lots of specialty foods and more. There is also plenty of free parking. My dog and I went for a visit last week and took pictures of what they have to offer.

Vendors Not Pictured:

  • Adventure Kitchen
  • Angel Planet Foods
  • Anita's Baked Wonders
  • Bull 'N Bear Brewery
  • Fit Fed Puppy
  • Foraged Feast
  • Hummus Boss
  • Jana's Jammy
  • Java's Compost
  • Kariba Farms
  • Louis Organics
  • Luxx Chocolat
  • Made with Clay
  • Mangalitsa
  • Our Woods Maple Syrup
  • Roaming Acres Farm
  • Spice Sisters
  • Stefan's Polish Foods
  • Sustainable Haus
  • Valley Shepherd Creamery
  • WoodsEdge Farm

The Summit Farmers Market will be open every Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will last until November 20th. The market is located at Park & Shop Lot #1 on the corner of DeForest Avenue and Woodland Avenue.

Below are photos of some of the local vendors joining the farmers market this season:

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