Events
January
North Myrtle Beach Winter Run
Throughout North Myrtle Beach
(843) 280-5570
This event includes the 5K and
15K road races for the Southeastern Region.
Myrtle Beach Wildlife
Exposition
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 237-3899
Families can enjoy a wide
variety of activities at this mid-January show to foster a deeper understanding
of the importance of properly managing those resources.
February
Burroughs & Chapin Company
Children's Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 626-6385
a fun-filled weekend of
educational, cultural and safety-related presentations and exhibits for children
and their families. More than 120 booths provide interactive presentations in
the fields of science, art or health. Continuous entertainment includes dancers,
tumbling acts, magicians, singers and storytellers. Children are given the
opportunity to take part in various contests on stage.
Grand Strand Boat Show and
Sale
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 238-0485
This early February show
attracts up to 10,000 boating enthusiasts and more than 100 exhibitors
displaying motor boats, fishing equipment, pontoon boats, sailboats, one-person
kayaks, watersports gear including scuba-diving equipment
National Shag Dance
Championships
Celebrity Square, Broadway At
The Beach, between 21st and 29th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
(843) 497-7369
For enthusiasts of the shag, the
vintage dance born and bred in the Carolinas. This late February event,
includes qualifying rounds for each of 38 spots in the national championships
that take place in March at this same location.
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade and
Celebration
Surfwood Shopping Center, North
Myrtle Beach
(843) 280-5570
South Carolina International
Chili Cook-off
Barefoot Landing, 4898 U.S. Hwy.
17 S., North Myrtle Beach
(843) 272-8349
These serious contestants are
known as "chiliheads", a group that numbers 50,000, who publish their own
quarterly newspaper to keep up with trends and cooking events. The chili is
evaluated by a panel of judges, and winners are in the running for the
international grand prize of $25,000. Family entertainment is always a part of
the cookoff.
Annual Canadian-American Days
Festival
Throughout Horry County
(843) 626-7444
Coinciding with the spring
school break in the Canadian Province of Ontario, Can-Am Days is a mid-March
festival that attracts about 100,000 visitors from both Canada and the United
States every year.
The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack
Show is an
action-packed demonstration of chopping, sawing, logrolling (by men and dogs),
ax throwing and dragster chain sawing -- all performed by world-champion
lumberjacks.
Annual Doll Show & Sale
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 248-5643, (843) 448-7166
doll dealers from 15 states and
more than 200 tables of related goods at this mid-March show.
Annual Georgetown Plantation
Tours
Throughout Georgetown
(843) 546-2292
These plantation homes and
colonial townhouses are only open to the public once a year in late March for
this 51-year-old tour. All the homes are privately owned, and several are on the
National Register of Historic Places. Histories and maps are provided.
April
S.O.S. Spring Safari
Throughout North Myrtle Beach
(888) SOS-3113
the world's largest spring break
for mature adults. More than 15,000 shaggers, members of the Society of
Stranders and lovers of the beach gather in North Myrtle Beach in mid-April for
an annual rite of spring. Ten full days and nights of beach music and activities
are all part of this ritual. There's a parade along Main Street in North Myrtle
Beach
Myrtle Gras
Chapin Park, Kings Hwy. at 16th
Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
(843) 448-8578
"the Grand Strand's Cajun
celebration," Myrtle Gras, in late April, is a simple festival in the park that
offers Cajun and local cuisine for sale, arts and crafts and a variety of
musical entertainment.
Susan G. Komen International
LPGA Golf Tournament
Wachesaw East Golf Club, off
U.S. Hwy. 17, Murrells Inlet
(843) 357-5252
week-long tournament is held in
mid-April 1997 at the South Strand's new Wachesaw East Golf Club. Top ladies on
the LPGA tour compete in the seven-day event, which draws an estimated 40,000
fans.
May
Blue Crab Festival
On the waterfront, Little River
(843) 249-6604
More than 150 arts-and-crafts
booths are featured.
The children's area includes a
petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and puppets. Entertainment includes a
variety of live musical performances including jazz, country, bluegrass and
gospel.
The Carolina Harley-Davidson
Dealers Association and Harley-Davidson Motor Company Spring Rally
Throughout the Grand Strand
(843) 651-5555
Rated as one of the top-five
motorcycle events in the nation -- and the oldest dealer-sponsored motorcycle
event in the country -- an estimated 60,000 to 75,000 cyclists roar into town
for four days in mid-May. A race is usually held on the Friday of the event at
the Myrtle Beach Speedway.
June
Annual Sun Fun Festival
Throughout the Grand Strand
(843) 626-7444
summer officially begins with
Sun Fun in early June. The largest annual festival of its kind in either North
or South Carolina, it attracts about 300,000 people to the beach each year. A
parade along Ocean Boulevard kicks off the festival. From bikini contests to
sand-sculpture competitions, Sun Fun hosts a multitude of activities.
July
Murrells Inlet Fourth of July
Boat Parade
Murrells Inlet
(843) 651-0900
For 14 or so years, more than
100 boats have entertained thos who watch from and picnic on the shores. From
14-foot fishing boats to 40-foot yachts, participating watercraft start the
aquatic caravan at high tide at the jetties of Garden City Beach and proceed to
Murrells Inlet.. Trophies are given to the three best-decorated boats and to the
three most-adorned docks along the route.
August
Carolina Craftsmen's Summer
Classic
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(910) 274-5550, (843) 448-7166
authentic, hand-crafted items at
this arts and crafts show in early August. More than 250 exhibitors from 20
states bring in original designs that include pottery, wood, fine art, toys,
jewelry, baskets, stained glass, leather, tin, weaving, sculpture, musical
instruments and furniture.
September
S.O.S. Fall Migration
Various locations in North
Myrtle Beach
(888) SOS-3113
The Society of Stranders calls
its thousands of active members to return to North Myrtle Beach in mid-September
for one last big party before winter sets in. Days and nights are filled with
activities, shagging and sightseeing with nonstop beach music.
South Carolina's Largest
Garage Sale
Myrtle Beach Pavilion Parking
Garage, Kings Hwy. and Ninth Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
(843) 448-8578
Hundreds of booths set up on
every parking level feature household goods, clothing, toiletries, sporting
goods, furniture, toys, food, etc.. The sale runs from 8 AM to 1 PM, and
admission is free.
Lowcountry Days
Brookgreen Gardens, U.S. Hwy. 17
S., Murrells Inlet
(843) 237-4218
During this nature festival,
the tidal freshwater creeks and rice fields of Brookgreen are opened to the
public. Passengers visit the natural flora and fauna of this area aboard The
Springfield, a 48-foot pontoon-type craft that accommodates 50 people at a
time.
The Sandy Island and Rice
Plantation Excursion is a two-hour trip out past Sandy Island and charming old
18th and 19th century plantation homes.
Springfield Creek Kayaking is
another feature of Lowcountry Days, and hiking programs are available as is a
guided horseback ride through the back country of Brookgreen.
October
Indian Summer Festival
Downtown Main St., North Myrtle
Beach
(843) 249-6921
Usually held in mid-October, the
Indian Summer Festival is sponsored by Downtown Organizations Interacting
Together, a revitalization group in North Myrtle Beach. It's a day of arts and
crafts, food, entertainment and special activities for the children.
Admission to the Indian Summer
Festival is free.
Oktoberfest
Football field at the former
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base,
Myrtle Beach
(843) 918-1242
Beer and bratwurst are the
favorites at this early October celebration of the harvest season. Authentic
German music is played and arts and crafts are on display. Children enjoy the
scarecrow-building and pumpkin-painting contests and a climbing wall.
VIVACE!
Various locations in Myrtle
Beach
(843) 248-7200, (800) 868-2787
This premier fine arts festival
in mid-October showcases local and national vocal, theatrical, instrumental,
visual and literary arts groups. At least 25 of the area's finest arts
organizations participate. It's 10 days and nights of exhibits, ballet,
classical music, arts and theater. .
Surfside Beach Family
Festival
One block off Surfside Dr.,
Surfside Beach
(843) 238-4131, Ext. 333
Annual festival is attended by
more than 10,000 people each year! It's a day-long affair in early October, with
plenty of food and arts and crafts
Several bands perform, and more
than 90 vendors offer everything from hot dogs to rides. This event always
coordinates lots of games for children. There is no admission fee.
Annual Wooden Boat Exhibit
and Challenge
Front St. (on the waterfront),
Georgetown
(843) 527-3229, (843) 546-0064
You make your boat from scratch
before sailing! There is no admission fee to the exhibit; spectators are allowed
to watch from outside the working tents of the competing teams.
Ghostbusting Tour
Throughout Georgetown County
(843) 546-8441
Participants are armed with
tickets and a map, and a fully costumed interpreter greets them at each site to
relate the folklore events during the month of October by the Southeastern
Tourism Society, dramatizations of Georgetown County's most famous ghosts and
legends.
November
Intracoastal
Christmas Regatta
Little River to North Myrtle
Beach
(843) 280-6354
Viewing sites encompass the
restaurants along the Little River waterfront, the Riverboat Restaurant at North
Myrtle Beach Marina, the Blue Marlin Yacht and Fishing Club at Anchor Marina and
Marker 350 at Harbourgate
The regatta benefits local
children's charities and spurs an annual toy collection for needy children.
Taste of the Town
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 249-4885
If you would like to sample
foods from a variety of Grand Strand restaurants, don't miss this early November
event. More than 40 restaurants participate each year, serving up the best they
have to offer. you an idea of the pace, Austin's restaurant served 2,000
portions of food by 8 PM!
Awards are bestowed for the best
overall food, the best entree, the best dessert and the People's Choice.
Annual Dickens Christmas Show
& Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 448-9483
mid-November. Decorated trees
and wreaths are usually auctioned off by the end of the festival, and hundreds
of holiday gifts and ornaments are available for show and sale.
Annual South Carolina State
Bluegrass Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
(843) 448-7166
Drawing fans from throughout the
eastern United States and Canada, the Bluegrass Festival offers arts and crafts
booths, food and beverages.
December
Christmas Tour of Homes
Throughout the North Strand
(843) 272-7598, (843) 249-6449
this Christmas Tour of Homes
gives a chance to see stately homes dressed for the Yuletide season. Sponsored
by the North Myrtle Beach Women's Club, six homes are opened to the public for
one afternoon in December. Proceeds from the event help Children's Hospice, the
North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad, the North Myrtle Beach Animal Shelter and
various scholarship funds.
Wacca Wache Marina Christmas
Boat Parade
Murrells Inlet
(843) 651-2994
This event is usually held on a
Saturday evening in early December to highlight to the holiday displays on the
decorated boats. The marina provides dockage for the event, and admission is
free.
Arts and Entertainment
The Long Bay Symphony
Long Bay Youth Orchestra
1811 Oak St., Myrtle Beach
(843) 448-8379
The Long Bay Symphony
performs a full season of classical, chamber and POPS concerts, including
playing the original scores during a silent film
Many of the Long Bay
Symphony members have performed with such respected organizations as the
Metropolitan Opera in New York and the pop-infused Radio City Music Hall
Orchestra. With this array of influences, the Long Bay group melds a variety
of musical backgrounds, performing selections from classical to pop as well
as full stage productions. It presents 12 concerts each season .
Grand Strand Concert Band
2966 Newberry Tr., Garden
City Beach
(843) 651-5683
The group has about 25
members, increased seasonally by the visitors who flock to this area to
enjoy the mild winters. Selections include Big Band pieces from the 1940s
and light concert music.
Swamp Fox Players Inc.
710 Front St., Georgetown
(843) 527-2924
Established in the early
1970s, this amateur theatrical group coordinates at least four productions
per year.
Alabama Theatre
Barefoot Landing, U.S. Hwy.
17 N., North Myrtle Beach
(843) 272-1111, (800)
342-BAMA
Christmas in Dixie is
Alabama Theatre's holiday program featuring Victorian costumes and
high-energy dance productions. The show is known locally for its fun,
family-style feeling plus incredible special effects and stage dressing.
House of Blues
4640 U.S. Hwy. 17 S. at
Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach
(843) 272-3000
The House of Blues now
stands as the area's only true music hall, a massive space that can hold
2,200 people at one time. Except for some bar stools, the music hall is a
standing venue.
The Carolina Opry
N. Kings Hwy. (at U.S. Hwy.
17 Bypass), Myrtle Beach
(843) 238-8888, (800) THE
OPRY
The Opry Christmas Special
holiday show is a mix of country, gospel and comedy.
The Palace Theatre
Broadway At The
Beach, From 21st to 29th Aves. N. (off U.S. Hwy. 17 Bypass), Myrtle Beach
(843) 448-0588, (800)
905-4228
Since the night it raised
its curtains, the 2,700-seat Palace Theatre has enjoyed brisk ticket sales
due to the knockout entertainment it has brought to the Grand Strand.
Parks
Myrtle Beach State Park
U.S. Hwy. 17 S., between
Myrtle and Surfside Beaches
(843) 238-5325
6 AM to 10 PM year round.
Situated in the heart of the
Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach State Park has one of the most popular public
beaches along the Carolina coast. This 312-acre oceanfront park is one of
the last remaining natural areas along the northern shores of South
Carolina A park naturalist conducts activities year round and interprets
the natural history of the coast. Surf fishing and pier fishing are allowed.
Swimming in the ocean or in the park's pool
Huntington Beach State
Park
U.S. Hwy. 17 S. (across from
Brookgreen Gardens), Murrells Inlet
(843) 237-4440
6 AM to 10 PM daily from
April through September and 6 AM to 6 PM daily from October through March.
Huntington Beach State Park
offers the best-preserved beach on the Grand Strand
Hampton Plantation State
Park
1950 Rutledge Rd.,
McClellanville
(843) 546-9361
9 - 6 Thursday through
Monday
Contains one of the most
impressive restored plantation homes in South Carolina.
Adjacent to the Santee
River, this 322-acre property was once a coastal rice plantation and last
served as the home of Archibald Rutledge, noted writer and South Carolina
poet laureate. The state purchased the property from Mr. Rutledge in 1971.
Biking
Bicycle paths
are clearly marked along the beach and Ocean Boulevard, and the residential
area north of 54th Avenue N. features an outdoor fitness trail with exercise
equipment along the beach. Bicycles and adult-size, tricycles can be rented
from a variety of locations along the beach
