Saying goodbye to summer is never easy, but filling your weekends with fall festivals can lessen the sting – especially when food is involved!

From Oktoberfest in Cape May to paella in Perth Amboy, there are dozens of food events planned across New Jersey this season. Here are 15 to consider.

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Chowderfest, Beach Haven

OCT. 5 AND 6, TAYLOR AVENUE BALL FIELD

Summer isn't officially over until Chowderfest takes over Beach Haven.

The annual festival – now in its 31st year – kicks off Oct. 5 with Merchant's Mart, a day of shopping the wares of local vendors. The following day brings the Chowder Cook-Off Classic, in which more than two dozen restaurants compete for best New England, Manhattan and most creative chowders.

Last year's first-place winners were Howard's Restaurant in Beach Haven for New England clam chowder, Lefty's Tavern in Barnegat for Manhattan clam chowder, and Blue Water Cafe in Beach Haven for most creative chowder.

There is no charge for the Merchant Mart. General admission tickets for Chowderfest cost $30 for adults and children older than 12. The cost for children ages 4 to 12 is $10. VIP tickets, which include a T-shirt, 10 a.m. entry and a VIP bar, cost $65.

A tip for first-time attendees: To make tasting easier, bring a muffin tin to hold the sample cups.

Go: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6, Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue; 609-494-7211, chowderfest.com.

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Clifton Food Truck Festival

OCT. 20 AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CLIFTON

At this festival, a benefit for Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, no one will go hungry.

The food truck list so far includes nearly two dozen vendors, from The Bearded One BBQ, Rolling Pita, "Who Cut The Cheese" Lady and Cubano X-Press to Cold Stone Creamery, House of Cupcakes, Maddalena's CheeseCake & Catering and The OreoFix.

Craft beer, sangria and margaritas will be poured, and the festival also includes children's activities and live music. Attendees should bring blankets and chairs, and organizers request a nonperishable canned or boxed food item for the local food pantry.

The festival is hosted by Just Jersey Fest, which also is organizing the Township of Washington Food Truck and Music Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurfville-Crosskeys Road in Sewell section of Washington Township (Gloucester County), and the Paramus Food Truck Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park.

Admission to each event costs $5, with children younger than 10 admitted free of charge.

Go: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 181 Colfax Ave.; justjerseyfest.com.

Flemington Rotary BeerFest

OCT. 19 AT NEX LEVEL ARENA

What's on tap at this event, the third annual hosted by the Rotary Club of Flemington?

Approximately 60 beers from 30 breweries — including Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington, Conclave Brewing in Raritan, and Flounder Brewing Co. in Hillsborough — plus food and live music.

Tickets cost $40 for general admission and $50 for VIP admission, which includes early admission and samples of a few "surprise" beers, according to organizers.

Go: Noon to 4:30 p.m.; flemingtonrotarynj.org.

Friday Night Luau Fest, Berkeley Township

SEPT. 27 AT VETERANS PARK

Celebrate the flavors and culture of the Big Island at this festival, which will feature Hawaiian-inspired eats, Polynesian entertainment — including a Samoan fire knife dancer — and fire pits.

Food vendors include the Ohana Food Truck from The Ohana Grill in Lavallette, Shore Good Eats 'n' Treats of Neptune City, Cousin's Main Lobster, Playa Bowls, Poké Motion, and Pirate Pete's Soda Pop Co., among others. There will be a wine and food tent as well.

Attendees should bring blankets and beach chairs. Admission is free, but organizers strongly suggest reserving tickets online.

Go: 4 to 10 p.m., with food service beginning at 5 p.m. and entertainment at 6 p.m; 489 Forest Hill Parkway in the Bayville section of Berkeley; eventbrite.com. A second festival with food trucks and fire pits, Berkeley Township Fall Fest Day, will take place from noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 28.

Greek Agora, Cherry Hill

OCT. 10-13, ST. THOMAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

When the folks at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church throw a party, they don’t hold back. A live counter on their website shows you down to the second how long it is til this Greek festival gets underway.

Founded in 1974, the annual Agora at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church is one of the largest festivals in the Delaware Valley. Locals joke that you can smell the souvlaki and spanakopita for miles. The four-day event is so popular, many families come for an evening and then come back again for lunch or take out. Organizers call it “the best food this side of the Acropolis.’’

Guests can load their plates with gyros, tiropita, pastitsio and other favorites. Greek wine, ouzo and dessert occupy their own tent. The church hall is converted into a Greek marketplace and a pop-up Greek supermarket offers plenty of options for recreating recipes at home.

There is no charge for admission.

Go: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Oct.. 10-12 and noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 13; 615 Mercer St.; 856-665-1731, greekagorafestival.com.

Highlands Oktoberfest

OCT. 5 AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Think you have what it takes to hold a stein of beer longer than anyone?

If so, be sure to register for the stein-holding competition at this annual festival, which also will feature traditional German food – bratwurst, knockwurst, potato pancakes and goulash – plus beer, dancing, costumes, and live oompah and polka music.

There is no charge for admission; vendor prices will vary.

Go: 2 to 9 p.m.; 51 Bay Ave.; 732-291-4713, highlandsnj.com.

Jersey Shore Cake & Cookie Convention, Asbury Park

OCT. 12 AND 13 AT CONVENTION HALL

If you like to bake cookies, eat cake, or both – and who doesn't? – this is the fall food event for you.

Hosted by Shore Cake Supply of Ocean Township, this convention will bring together novice bakers, hobbyists and baking professionals for a weekend of workshops, shopping, and meet-ups with bakers, both local and national. Attendees can learn to make perfect cake pops and shape fondant, or get tips on running a small business.

Admission costs $25 for one day or $45 for both. Workshops are available at an additional cost.

Go: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days; 1300 Ocean Ave.; jerseyshorecakeshow.com.

Monmouth Beach Food Truck Takeover

SEPT. 29 AT MONMOUTH BEACH BATHING PAVILION

Good food, live music and a bonfire on the beach are the highlights of this annual food truck festival, hosted by the Monmouth Beach Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No. 332.

Food vendors include Johnny's Pork Roll and Coffee Too, BroRitos, Good Food = Good Mood, Shore Shake, Dogs Gone Wild, Santo Ceviche, Fork In the Road, Nettuno, Oink and Moo BBQ, and Mac Truck NYC.

The Benjamins, a New Jersey-based band, will perform, and the festival also will include a beer garden and activities for children.

Admission costs $5 for attendees 12 and older. Children younger than 12 will be admitted free of charge. Bottomless beer mugs cost $25.

Go: 1 to 6 p.m.; 29 Ocean Ave.; monmouthbeachpba.yapsody.com.

Oktoberfest, Cape May

SEPT. 28 ON CARPENTER LANE

America's oldest seaside resort will be transformed into a German promenade during the annual Oktoberfest, featuring food, beer, music and more than 100 craft vendors.

The festival will take place on Carpenter Lane between Ocean and Perry streets, then continue down Jackson Street to Beach Avenue. Food vendors include Spanky’s BBQ, Delaney’s Pub, FINS Bar & Grille, Matt’s BBQ, Dawn’s Delights and Hot Dog Tommy.

There is no charge for admission.

Go: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 609-884-5508, capemaychamber.com.

Paella Cook-off Festival, Perth Amboy

SEPT. 29 AT PERTH AMBOY HARBORSIDE MARINA

A paella cook-off? Yes, please!

Hosted by Paella Party NJ of Woodbridge, this festival will feature a cooking competition, the chance to try paellas and tapas, wine tasting, and a flamenco show.

Tickets cost $35 for adults and children older than 12. Admission for children ages 8 to 12 costs $10, and children 7 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

Go: 1 to 6 p.m.; 260 Front St.; eventbrite.com.

Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival

SEPT. 29 IN THE WHITE STREET MUNICIPAL LOT

This annual food and drink festival, which pays tribute to a decades-old Irish celebration that marks the beginning of oyster season, will feature dishes from more than two dozen borough restaurants. Participants include The Bistro at Red Bank, Bombay River, Jamian's Food & Drink, Lusty Lobster, Tacoholics, and Teak, among others.

Guinness, wine and other beers will be served, and there will be live music, activities for children, and assorted vendors.

The cost is $5 per person; children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge. Proceeds will benefit Monmouth Day Care, T. Thomas Fortune House, and Red Bank RiverCenter.

Go: Noon to 6 p.m.; 40 White St.; 732-842-4244, redbank.org.

Wildwoods Food and Music Festival

OCT. 5 ON ATLANTIC AVENUE

The Wildwoods aren't just for summer vacation, you know.

Previously known at Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival, this event is a free street fair featuring food vendors, a beer garden, two stages of live music, a pie-eating contest, craft vendors, and games, plus pumpkin-painting and inflatable bounce houses.

Go: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues; 609-729-4000, wildwoods.com.

Yogi Berra Stadium Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, Little Falls

SEPT. 28 AT YOGI BERRA STADIUM

More than two dozen food trucks will roll into the outfield for this annual event, which happens right on the ball field at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Participating vendors include Empanada Lady, Empanada Guy, Shake Shack, and Carnivale Donut Bar's Little Bite of Paradise, among others, and there will be music from Alternate Groove Party Band and backyard games to keep folks entertained.

Beer lovers can sample from more than 100 craft beers, and attendees can enjoy Yogi Berra Tribute Day activities at the Yogi Berra Museum.

The cost is $8 for adults; children less than 36 inches tall will be admitted free of charge. Food prices will vary by vendor.

Go: Noon to 7 p.m.; 8 Yogi Berra Drive; 973-746-7434, jackals.com.

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Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey more than 15 years ago and has held a variety of positions since, but the work she does now is her favorite: food writing. Her favorite stories to write are the ones that make a difference for the Shore’s mom and pop restaurants. Write to her at sgriesemer@gannettnj.com and follow @jersey.shore.eats.