Come one, come all, to the fair!

The days are becoming noticeably shorter, and the air is gradually turning cooler. Children have returned from camp. Vacations spent at the beach or in the mountains are ending. Parents are flocking to downtown shops and department stores to buy school clothes and supplies. And, in general, folks are brushing the sand from between their toes and getting back to work.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, summer’s days are numbered. But fear not. Fall brings its own magic. The leaves turn color. Youth sport seasons start again. And the local fall fair season begins anew.

The South Shore has a dizzying array of fairs this year to please anyone who loves hot dogs, cotton candy and funnel cakes — which means pretty much everyone.

Local festivals, most often sponsored by our villages and chambers of commerce, showcase the best that our communities have to offer while bringing together tens of thousands of people to celebrate in a spirit of fun and friendship. They give fire departments and auxiliary police units the chance to demonstrate their skills for the folks they serve. Girl Scouts set up tables to sell cookies. Civic associations and Little Leagues sign up new members at their booths. Car enthusiasts show off their muscle machines. Assorted bands, from jazz to heavy metal, perform. And people dance up a storm. Most important, community festivals serve as vital fundraising opportunities for local charities, nonprofit agencies and houses of worship.

In short, our fairs are a blast, so consider attending one or all of them this fall.

And when you go, be sure to stop by the Herald booth, where we’d love to chat with you about the issues that are important to you and offer you free copies of our papers and other giveaways as our way of saying thank you for reading throughout the year.

Here’s a schedule of festivals, beginning this weekend:

• The Long Beach Historical Society will hold its annual arts and crafts festival on the boardwalk this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fair will feature artwork and foods to please all tastes.