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Summer is unofficially over, so it's time to put away the flip flops, boogie boards, and sand pails and return to serious...eating. There are a number of festivals around the state geared to a variety of gustatory delights. Want to indulge in some sweet corn on the cob? (And hasn't the local corn been especially savory this season?) How about some finger-lickin' ribs? Or, perhaps your tastes run more to scallops? Hit one of these events and gorge yourself on a favorite food; or hit all of them and think of it as one huge, never-ending buffet.

• Rib'n Brews Festival
  Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 9
  Tsongas Arena Grounds, 300 Arcand Drive, Lowell
  $5 admission (11 and under free)

  About a couple dozen BBQ-ers are anticipated to compete in the festival for the coveted title of State’s Best Barbecue Cooker. And 18 microbrewers will be on hand to challenge each other as well. Live music, samplings of peppers and salsas, BBQ vendors, and a beer garden will also be on tap.

• Harvest Festival
  Saturday, September 8, noon to 5 p.m.
  Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton
  Free admission

  The harvest is in, but somehow YOU get stuck doing the harvesting. Pick-your-own apples and peaches, music and magic, winery tours, wine tasting, and BBQ food will be featured.

• Corn Festival
  Saturday, September 15, 10am-4pm
  South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell
  Adults: $4 members and $5 nonmembers; children: $2 members and $3 nonmembers; max per family: $20

  There will be games and crafts for children, hayrides, farm animals, live music, and, of course, lots and lots of corn.

• Annual Bourne Scallop Festival
  Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23
  Buzzards Bay Park, Main St., Bourne
  $5 admission, (12 and under free)

  Organizers describe this as New England's largest scallop festival, although who knew that there were any other odes to the tasty sea morsel? Still, with 40,000 visitors anticipated, this will be a humongous event. The highlight will be the (fried) scallop dinners and other activities will include entertainment (featuring the great local band, Entrain), arts and crafts, a home expo show, rides and games, and other food for scallop snubbers.

  Photo: Nashoba Valley Winery