|
Special Events in Myrtle Beach
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.
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.
The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show
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 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
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.
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
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.
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.
November
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
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.
|
|
