While the mild fall weather may not feel like the holidays just yet, the Margate Business Association (MBA) is already in the spirit and gearing up for a festive weekend celebrating local businesses and community cheer.
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, Nov. 29 at noon, as Santa, who communicates in American Sign Language (ASL) 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.
Inside 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.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, Nov. 29, shoppers can join the MBA Holiday Scavenger Hunt, featuring small holiday gift boxes hidden outside local businesses — each containing a coupon or prize. Businesses are encouraged to offer sidewalk sales and special promotions throughout the weekend.
Shoppers can also take a selfie outside their favorite Margate business and email it to info@margatehasmore.com for a chance to win prizes. Winners will be announced on Monday, Dec. 1.
Children are invited to drop off their letters to Santa in the Santa’s Mailbox, located in Bocca’s foyer from Nov. 28 through Dec. 5.
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.
This inclusive and family-friendly celebration supports Margate’s vibrant business community while promoting accessibility and connection through ASL Santa’s participation and outreach to the hearing-impaired community.
