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Asbury Park has been nominated for a Best of USA Small Town Accolade.

The publicly rated competition is specifically for Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Small Town Cultural Scene, and the Jersey Shore city by the sea is currently 5th on the leaderboard.

“Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to these 20 small towns, each with a population of fewer than 30,000 people [as of the last census], the contest posting reads. “What each lacks in size it makes up for with a big cultural punch – museums, art galleries, performing arts and busy event calendars. Vote for your favorite once per day until voting ends on Monday, May 14 at noon ET. The 10 winning small towns will be revealed on Friday, May 18.”

The national competition describes the city as follows:

“In the mid-1970s, Bruce Springsteen got his start singing at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Today the small town on the Jersey Shore is undergoing a revival, with formerly abandoned Victorian homes getting snatched up while the downtown bustles with restaurants, boutiques, dozens of bars and even an art house cinema. The revitalized boardwalk has been brought back to its former glory, and the restored Paramount Theatre once again hosts live performances.”

Other small communities in the running include Lake City, SC; Paducah, Ky; Columbus, Miss; Breaux Bridge, La; Traverse City, Mich; Lexington, Va; Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif; Naples, Fla; and Highlands, NC.

To cast your ballot, click here.

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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