Presented By Bocca Coal Fired Bistro
The Margate business and restaurant districts will be celebrating Shop Small Business weekend beginning Friday, November 28th through to Sunday, November 30th by offering great sales and discounts for shoppers and a parade through town led by America Sign Language (ASL) Santa on Saturday, November 29th.
ASL SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN!
The annual Shop Small and ASL Santa Parade, sponsored by Bocca Coal Fired Bistro, highlights the Black Friday and national Shop Small weekend. Local businesses throughout Margate will offer great sales and discounts and all weekend long. The highlight of the festivities will be the ASL Santa Parade on Saturday, November 29 at noon, as Santa, who communicates in American Sign Language and verbally, travels down Ventnor Avenue to greet families and spread holiday joy.
Santa will begin his journey at Coolidge Avenue, escorted by the Margate City Police and Fire Departments, and make his way to Bocca Coal Fired Bistro at Essex Avenue. Riding in his beach patrol sleigh with his dedicated elf, ASL Santa will meet and sign with guests upon arrival. The parade will feature the Mainland Cheerleaders performing in front of Bocca, where USA DJ will lead holiday sing-alongs as Santa and his holiday friends greet families and pose for photos.
Along Ventnor Avenue from Douglas to Essex Avenues, guests can enjoy entertainment, games, and giveaways from USA DJ, try their luck at the Sustainable Margate Prize Wheel, play cornhole, and grab special coupons from Nacho Taco.
The parade lineup will include: Margate City Police and Fire Departments, the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps – Atlantic City Division, the Margate Mayor and Commissioners, Lucy the Elephant, Atlantic County Utilities Authority “Supercan”, Atlantic County Toys for Kids, Miss New Jersey Belle Nicholas, Mainland Cheerleaders, and beloved holiday characters including Frosty, Stitch, Tigger, the Grinch, the Longport Fire Department, and of course, ASL Santa and his elf.
GIVEAWAYS & GAMES
Children are invited to drop off their letters to Santa in the Santa’s Mailbox, located in Bocca’s foyer from November 28 through December 5. Bocca, families are invited to enjoy a free slice of pizza and soda, meet and sign with ASL Santa, enjoy free Wawa cookies, and visit the JCC and MBA craft stations. East Coast Fairy Hair will also be available for purchase inside Bocca.
MARGATE FIELDS WINTER WONDERLIGHTS
Sustainable Margate will showcase environmental displays and offer interactive games with prizes at Bocca. New Jersey Fairy Hair will add a touch of sparkle to your locks with sparkly strand extensions. There will also be Wawa giveaways and you can drop your letters to Santa off in the lobby of Bocca!
What is Shop Small?
In the midst of the recession in 2010 — Small Business Saturday® was created by American Express on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day, and officials in all 50 states participate. It even gets a shout-out from the president of the United States. Who knew that in 2020 we’d face one of the most devastating national health crises in our lifetime. Small Businesses were once again thrown a curve ball as our nation battled the after effects of a national “shut down” during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Small Movement is more relevant then ever. If you cannot shop in person, please consider purchasing virtual gift cards by contacting your favorite local retailers, professionals or restaurants.
