Celebrate Food, Music and Fun Year-Round in Myrtle Beach
Posted: April 20th, 2009 | Author: Jeff | Filed under: events, festivals | Tags: Bluegrass on the Waccamaw festival, Boogie & BBQ Festival, Canadian-American Days Festival, Crab Festival, Gullah/Geechee Festival, Historic Downtown Conway's Riverfront Park, Loris Bog Off, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach SC, myrtlebeach, Old Peanut Warehouse, Sun Fun Festival | Comments Off
The charm, culture and history of the Myrtle Beach area’s communities are constantly showcased throughout the year by the many unique festivals and events. From food to music and entertainment, the Myrtle Beach area offers travelers diverting and enjoyable festivals throughout the entire year that can infuse vacations with distinctive experiences never to be forgotten.
4th of July Boat Parade (Murrells Inlet)
Each Independence Day, Myrtle Beach locals and guests celebrate in style with the July 4th Boat Parade in Murrells Inlet. Decorated boats sail down the parade route with festival goers watching from equally decorated docks of the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and picturesque restaurants. The day concludes with a spectacular firework display in the Inlet, and awards for the best boat and dock decorations. For more information call (843) 651-5675 or visit them online.
Aynor Harvest HoeDown
Anyor Harvest HoeDown is an autumn event the whole family can enjoy. The day-long festival showcases over 140 craft booths, entertainment, food, games, plus a parade and a street dance to top it all off! This year’s festival will be September 19, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please visit their website.
Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival
The “grand finale” of summer, this Labor Day weekend festival, which draws between 50,000 and 60,000 visitors, features the official barbeque competition of South Carolina, car shows, live entertainment and Kids Zone among other events held at Grand Park across from The Market Common. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit the festivals website.
Blue Crab Festival
Each May, the community of Little River, SC plays host to the annual Blue Crab Festival, drawing in excess of 50,000 people who come out to enjoy a weekend of live music, arts and crafts, beautiful seafaring culture, and of course…sweet and savory blue crab! The 2009 Blue Crab Festival will be held on May 16 and 17, 2009. For more information call (843) 249-1682 or visit The Blue Crab Festival website.
Bluegrass on the Waccamaw
Each May, the quaint community of Conway, SC is host to the Bluegrass on the Waccamaw festival, offering an array of musical acts in Historic Downtown Conway’s Riverfront Park just beneath the Waccamaw River Bridge. First organized in 1997, the festival is presented by community-member Jennings Chestnut, Sr. – owner of the Chestnut Mandolin Shop on Main Street, Conway – bringing local, regional, and national groups together for “World Class Bluegrass” on the grounds of the Old Peanut Warehouse in Conway. For more information, call (843) 248-5399 or visit their website.
Canadian-American Days Festival
Each year in early March, thousands of America’s Canadian neighbors and snowbirds visit from the North and scatter throughout the Grand Strand communities in advance of spring for the Canadian-American Days Festival. The almost two week long festival features events, activities and discounts, including welcome receptions, military band concerts, athletic tournaments and wildlife and history days. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit Canadian-American Days Festival Days website.
Gullah/Geechee Festival (Atlantic Beach)
This August festival celebrates the history and culture of the Gullah/ Geechee heritage- descendants of slaves from the west coast of Africa. Soul food and tasty Southern dishes are served to visitors in Atlantic Beach, while various activities and lectures give a glimpse into the rich culture of the Gullah /Geechee people. For more information call (843) 663-1433.
Loris Bog Off
The community of Loris’ annual Bog Off is a celebration of heritage expressed through a top notch cooking competition to determine the best Chicken bog – a spicy blend of rice, chicken sausage, onion and black pepper served in a “big ‘ol bowl.” In addition to the competition the weekend also includes a parade, arts/crafts, and live entertainment. The 30th annual Loris Bog Off will be celebrated on October 17, 2009. For more information visit the Bog Off online.
Murrells Inlet Annual Oyster Roast
The historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet serves up an afternoon filled with bushels and bushels of sweet local oysters during the community’s annual Oyster roast in November. Oyster fans can enjoy a great all-you-can-eat afternoon of steamed oysters and great offerings from Dead Dog Saloon, Drunken Jack’s, Divine Fish House, Bovine’s, River City Cafe and more alongside live music. For more information call (843) 357-2007 or visit The Murrells Inlet website
Rivertown Jazz and Arts Festival (Conway)
This annual festival is held on the banks of the Waccamaw River in downtown Conway. The all-day event highlights jazz and art favorites and delicious food-while providing guests with a lively downtown scene. The festival is scheduled for May 2, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information visit Conway Mainstreet online.
Shrimp & Jazz Festival
Combining the very best in live jazz music and flavorful locally sourced shrimp, the Shrimp & Jazz Festival in the seafaring community of Little River, SC is a fall afternoon treat held each year in early October. For more information call (843) 249-6604 or visit the festival’s website.
Sun Fun Festival
The first Sun Fun Festival in 1951 was conceived to attract vacationers during the period between the end of the school year and the July 4th holiday. Almost sixty years later the area’s official kick-off to summer is still going strong, drawing upwards of 35,000 attendees each year. The festival is held the first weekend of June at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Sun Fun features live entertainment, a Kids Zone, food and arts/crafts vendors and much more. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit The Sun Fun Festival online.
