The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce members have extended Small Business Saturday into a season long shopping campaign with Holidays Shopping Redefined, allowing consumers to find what stores are open and offering up holiday incentives. In addition to great shopping and dining, there are special events that will add to the spirit of the season throughout December.
Kicking off it’s 38th year, the Ship Bottom Christmas Parade challenges everyone to “Deck the Hulls” and come out for marching bands, professional and homemade floats, costumed characters and antique cars. Parade steps off at 1pm from 5th Street down Long Beach Blvd , past the judges stand ending at 25th Street. There is no fee to enter to march or ride, all information is available online at www.shipbottom.org . Stop into the Southern Ocean County Visitor Center for maps, guides on local shopping and to purchase limited edition 30th Anniversary Chowderfest Holiday Gift Pack. Tuckerton Seaport Christkindlmarkt is the festive place to be with 50 craft, gift and gourmet vendors from Dec 1-3. In addtion to family crafts and demonstrations, there is Frozen Woods Hayride, Gingerbread House Decorating and Holiday Horse Wagon rides to set the tone for an old fashioned Christmas. Dec 1-3 brings Miracle on 34th Street at OceanFirst Theater/Stafford Township Arts Center for the entire family to enjoy.
December 8 brings Surflight Theatre’s Home for the Holidays Musical production which runs unitl Dec 16, Bay Village Cookie Wars are back Dec 9 from 11am to cookies run out while you shop and sample at the participating merchants. Stop by Yuletide and see Santa from 12-2pm. December 14 & 16 is Gentelmen’s Shopping Weekend at the Good Life Boutique in Surf City, where special wrapping and gift assistance will be available to find something for the loved ones in your life. Don’t forget to dine, as Delaware Avenue Oyster House in Beach Haven Terrace has special menus, gift certificate incentives and customized wine gift baskets for purchase, that includes their own Bloody Mary Mix and Hot Sauce. Another example is Buckalews Tavern in Beach Haven with a $10 gift card for every $50 in cards purchased as well as free Christmas Eve Buffet offered up to the community.
The launch of the Southern Ocean Made Brew Trail officially starts Jan 1, but the app is available for download now at www.southernoceanmade.com where you can check in on what is on tap at Ship Bottom Brewery, Manaferkin and Pinelands Brewery; as well as reasons to pop into the Jetty Flagship Store, Ann Coen Gallery, South End Surf & Paddle for their holiday specials. For more activities check into the Tuckerton Seaport and the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences for classes, workshops and gift certificates for membership.
As always, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce is open year round to spread good cheer from the local business community. Stop in at 265 West Ninth Street, Ship Bottom, call 609 494 7211 or go online to www.visitLBIregion.com for the latest happenings on the #holidaysredefined shopping program. Follow on social as @lbiregion @southernoceanchamber on facebook and instagram or on twitter as @lbiregion
