Late September not only brings a change of season with
more moderate temperatures, but it’s also a time of year that locals look
forward to, as the huge crowds and resulting traffic jams dissipate. For those
who live here year-round or own businesses, it’s a time to relax a bit now that
family, friends and resort visitors have gone back to their everyday lives.

Save for the occasional hurricane, the fall season is best
enjoyed outdoors and as Ocean City marks the end of the high season at the
beach with Sunfest, towns throughout the region also are gearing up for
festival season. This weekend kicks it off with the annual Fiddler’s Convention
in Berlin, a two-day festival of music and competition for bluegrass
enthusiasts.

On the heels of this comes several car cruising events,
followed by Octoberfest celebrations, Halloween festivities, wine festivals and
a celebration of the arts for many communities. Not to be overlooked is that
this time of year is made for golf, not to mention a few last fishing
tournaments and a host of creative fundraising events for area charities.

Fall also brings the opportunity for locals to enjoy
leisurely dining in area restaurants, antiquing and casually strolling
throughout stores in search of those unique items that can only be found in the
variety of small shops the area has to offer. So while it seems that things
quiet down a bit, it’s actually the best time to enjoy living life on the
shore.