So are there any ruffled feathers - or fins - over the new event coming along and stealing some people from the established fests on the block? You better believe it.
But a little competition never hurt anyone, right? Right. The festival organizers said "bring it on." They could deal with it. But next year maybe they could strike a compromise.

"There are 12 weekends out of the summer season," said Bob Ruffolo, president of the New Jersey Fresh Seafood Festival.

"I think it has some minor effects on us this year. Some vendors had a difficult time choosing which one to participate. We each think our own is the most important, but others are also important."

Especially since all three events raise money for charities.

"We want everyone to come out and enjoy some of the wonderful things Atlantic County has to offer as part of our Super Festival weekend," Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said in a prepared release.

Whatever you call it - Super Fest, Mega Fest - it still boils down to one thing: a rivalry.

Chris Georges, a volunteer who belongs to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, home of the Greek Festival each year, had a lot to say about the dueling fun.

"We have loyal people who come," Georges said. "We have great Greek food, good rides. It is a lot of fun. But this year has been tough. The other festivals are really killing us."

Georges said the Greek Festival has been going on for many more years than the others and now suddenly everything is crammed into one weekend.

"There is no coordination," he said. "We are all out for the same dollars. They (the county) are calling it Super Fest to start off the season, and meanwhile it adds to the list of festivals for the same weekend.

"All and all, Georges said business was OK. But it began Thursday, so two of the three days were a washout due to the weather. He has bigger hopes for today.

Georges said he has an idea for next year that he hopes others will consider.

"Maybe we could get together and decide on a compromise so that we are not hurting each other," Georges said. "Maybe two of the festivals can go on one weekend and then another the following, or one each weekend."

Gregory Gregory, owner of Gregory's in Somers Point and chairman of the Atlantic County "Day at the Bay," said he heard some people from the Seafood Festival and Greek Festival were concerned about the three events being on the same weekend.

"They are different days. Ours is only Sunday. The synergy of all of these festivals brings more people to Atlantic County and we are a community with multifaceted ideas," he said.

But none of this business talk really concerned festivalgoers at Historic Gardner's Basin, where parents wheeled baby strollers, listened to great music, bought knick knacks and, most importantly, ate great seafood.

And if the many weekend activities hurt attendance a little bit at the festival, you would never know it by the long lines to get seafood from the various vendors, corn on the cob and even fried Oreos. Festivalgoers also got to sample superb dishes from renowned celebrity chefs who cooked some tasty treats for the crowds.

Joy and Earle Booye, of Galloway Township, strolled around the festival and enjoyed the sun and ocean breezes.

"We love it. We come every year," Joy Booye said.

Earle Booye chimed in, "We just came from Dock's (Oyster House). They make the best seafood."

The Seafood Festival, sponsored by Fleet Bank, to date has donated $430,000 to various charitable organizations throughout the region, including $50,000 for the dialysis unit of Atlantic City Medical Center.

Ruffolo said he expects this year's festival will also raise a lot of funds for charities.

If next year's festivals are spread out over the summer instead of being lumped into one weekend, it will be easy for vacationers and residents to fill up their weekends - a festival here, a festival there - not a bad plan.

Of course, if they remain on the same weekend it could take some planning. But if you get up early you could spend the day festival hopping.