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Small Business Saturdays begins this weekend and here in Asbury Park it comes with an encore of this summer’s Asbury Fresh and the Holiday Bazaar/Market at Fifth Pop-Ups.

Created by American Express with a cardholder incentive program, the first Small Business Saturday was held in 2010 as a reminder to shop at local businesses.

This year in Asbury Park, Small Business Saturday runs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 26 and the City Council has approved free parking from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays through the holiday season.

The Asbury Fresh Pop-Up will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 19 at the newly opened House of Independents on Cookman Avenue. Photos with Santa and over 30 vendors, including Wild Heart, Salt and Steel, Luna Rayne Jewelry and WaggleSnap Dog Treats, will be featured.

“Our goal is to continue to grow the Asbury Fresh community by creating experiences year-round that feel both new and familiar at the same time,” spokesperson Meghan Armbrecht said. “We love being part of the revitalization of the downtown district and these pop-ups are just another way to bring more foot traffic onto Cookman Ave and into all of the great restaurants and businesses here. Partnering with House of Independents and our sponsor Shrewsbury VW is really exciting for us and our positive relationship with the city is something we want to continue to nurture.”

Inside the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette will run its Asbury Park Bazaar Pop-Up Holiday Market from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 20.

A partnership between the Asbury Park Bazaar and Market at Fifth Avenue, the Holiday Market features curated vendors, artists and local shops showcasing gifts, handmade goods, jewelry, accessories, art, photography, home goods, furniture, vintage products and food vendors. Live music, holiday performances and special events are all a part of the schedule.

A Holiday Kids Craft program also kicks off Saturday. It will continue from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sundays throughout the winter season at the Grand Arcade. A suggested $2 donation or new unwrapped toy will go toward the Asbury Park Toy and Coat Drive, organized by the Asbury Park Police Department.

For more information about the Asbury Fresh Pop-Up, visit: http://www.asburyfresh.com/#/winter-pop-up-2015/

For a full schedule of the Asbury Park Bazaar Pop-Up Holiday Market, visit http://apbazaar.wix.com/apbazaar#!calendar-of-events/c1hit

[Feature photo courtesy of Asbury Fresh]

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