Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Rock n’ the Beach for New Year’s Eve – Myrtle Beach, SC

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Rock ‘N the Beach claims to be South Carolina’s Largest New Years Eve Celebration.
Come to Myrtle Beach for a day of fun, and a chance to ring in the New Year in Style.

Start out with a Scavenger hunt in downtown. Explore the downtown in search of the Beach Ball Icon and complete five types of tasks. More information is of the back of the “Scavenger Hunt” Card. Get your card stamped at participating location and move on. You can drop off your completed card at our Rock’n the Beach Booth by 10pm. Drawings will take place sometime after 10 pm.

Parking
It’s recommended that you use the Pavilion Parking Garage because then you will receive your special NYE gift bag. The parking garage also sells the NYE VIP Card which gives you super fast passage in the beverage lines. So to ensure that you get in the NYE VIP beverage line, get the card, and get quick service and no delays.

Fun for the Younger Ones
Your kids will enjoy the Plyler Park Area filled with lots of fun such as face painting, characters and performers and “Chalk the Walk”.

Music on Stage
Get into a festive mode with live music. Enjoy Jazz, R&B, Beach Music, Country, and Gospel. There’s even a real Dixie Strolling Band walking through the crowd.

Send a Message
Make this New Year’s Eve a special night to remember. Why not take a carriage ride with the family or that special someone and enjoy the lively entertainment. But most importantly be ready to record your New Year’s Eve message and have it aired on the Jumbotron.

Horry County Arts and Cultural Council Champagne Toast
It’s not really possible to ring in 2010 without a champagne toast and the traditional singing “Auld Lang Syne” with friends. Horry County Arts and Cultural Council Team arranges the champagne and cheer.

Up in the Air
Many places watches the ball drop, but in Myrtle Beach things are different. Just keep your eye on the ball as we count “up” to 2010. The sky will explode with colorful fireworks reflected in the ocean. There are great spots for watching the fireworks all around the downtown area, along the ocean and from Kings Hwy.
Rock’N the Beach will take place between 9th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North in Downtown Myrtle Beach.

For more information call Global Attractions Development and Management 843-213-1094 or visit www.rocknthebeach.com

Dickens Show and Festival in Myrtle Beach, 2009

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The 28th Annual Dickens Christmas Show and Festival takes place in an 18th Century, Victorian Marketplace Setting complete with period clad vendors, hawking fine arts and crafts, gifts, Christmas Decor, toys and much, much more.

The event takes place November 12 -15, 2009.

For more information call 843-448-9483 or visit www.dickenschristmasshow.com
holiday-redberries

Myrtle Beach Celebrates Groundbreaking of the City’s First of Its Kind Boardwalk

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Popular Music Act The Temptations Review Helps Bring the Memories of Downtown Beachside Fun to Celebratory Block-Party

MYRTLE BEACH, SC  – The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Myrtle Beach have announced plans to celebrate the city’s mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade project set to be completed in Spring 2010. A kickoff celebration – to be held on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 – in honor of the September 8 groundbreaking aims to gather visitors and locals alike to welcome the highly anticipated boardwalk; the first of its kind in the popular Myrtle Beach area.

The $16 million boardwalk project was conceived in 1999 as a development that would enhance the Myrtle Beach visitor experience and revitalize Myrtle Beach’s downtown sector. Traversing through the sand from the 14th Avenue to Second Avenue Piers, the boardwalk will provide oceanfront views of the pristine beachline and will be divided into three different sections. The northernmost portion will wind down from the 14th Avenue North Pier to Plyler Park. The mid-section will be located from Plyler Park to the former Pavilion Amusement Park site at 8th Avenue North and will encompass more of a carnival-like atmosphere with oceanfront dining and businesses. The southernmost end of the boardwalk leading up to the 2nd Avenue pier will have a meandering oceanfront park.

“As one of the country’s premiere beach destinations, it is thrilling to see this project come to fruition,” said Brad Dean, President & CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “The boardwalk development will add another essential element of affordable fun to the destination and will help revitalize the downtown Myrtle Beach atmosphere. We’re excited to jump start the project with this downtown block-party celebration, complete with all kinds of beach music and fun.”

Beach Music, Shagging, Beer Garden and Fireworks

The free celebration kicks off Friday, September 25 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with entertainment legends The Temptations Review headlining an evening concert. The weekend will also feature some of the top names in Motown and beach music – bringing a touch of Southern soul to the festivities. The celebration picks up again Saturday, September 26, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. with even more beach music from popular regional bands like The Fantastic Shakers, Charlie Thomas’ DRIFTERS, Legends of Beach (includes two of the original band members from The Embers) and The Stylistics.

The kickoff event will be held downtown, in classic block-party style, stretching Ocean Blvd. from 10th Avenue North to 8th Avenue North. In addition to the live entertainment, visitors can also have fun at a 50’s and 60’s Era Classic Car Show and get down on the world’s largest Shag Dance floor (located on the site of the former Pavillon’s Magic Attic) near 9th Avenue North. A beer garden will be set up between 8th & 9th Avenues North and numerous local businesses along the way will open their doors to provide refreshments and tasty treats for guests of all ages. The celebration weekend will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display over the beach Saturday evening.

Gigantic Sand Art on Display

The weekend’s events will also feature a one-of-a-kind, colored sand-art rendering of the coming boardwalk created by Team Sandtastic, who constructed the World’s Tallest Sandcastle in Myrtle Beach in 2007. The display will be one of the largest pieces of colored sand-art in the world reaching 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide. The massive creation – using upwards of twelve different colors of sand – will give visitors a chance to catch a sneak peek of the future, reestablished downtown area. The artwork will use approximately one ton of sand and will sit on an estimated 50 tons of sand as a base and plateau.

The Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, comprising 12 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to world-class golf, 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience.

For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.VisitMyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.

Pelican in Sunset

Beach, Boogie and Barbecue in Myrtle Beach 2009

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The fourth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival kicks off on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5-9 p.m.and  continues on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Grand Park, The Market Common from  10 a.m.-9 p.m.
This is the second time the family-friendly festival is held at Grand Park.

This festival will feature free live entertainment, wake board demonstrations and the Wheels at the Beach car show.

But for most festival-goers, the main attraction is the finger-lickin, lip-smackin’ food .

Two cooking events promise to attract the nation’s finest competitors: Anything Goes contest and tasting on Friday and the Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off on Saturday.

“We are excited about this year’s lineup of events and are delighted to partner with the Omar Shriners again on the barbeque competitions,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “The chamber is pleased to continue providing a free, family-friendly event for locals and visitors to celebrate Labor Day weekend, which concludes the 58th annual Sun Fun Celebration of Summer.”

For $5, festival participants can buy five tickets for sampling Anything Goes competition goodies on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, barbeque sandwich combos will be sold for $6. Beer will be sold both days. Proceeds from these food and beer sales will benefit Omar Shriner charities.

Car Show in Myrtle Beach, SC
Car Show in Myrtle Beach, SC

The Myrtle Beach Car Club, organizer of Wheels at the Beach car show, will donate 50/50 raffle, silent auction and competition funds to Special Olympics of Horry County.
Here are some of the highlights of exciting events:

Friday, Sept. 4

Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 5 p.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only.
BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 6 p.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake.

Anything Goes Contest and Tasting, 6:30 p.m. until supplies last – Sample dishes from shrimp creole to homemade ice cream and anything in between—anything goes! $5 for five sampling tickets. All proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Football field, south side of the lake.

The Tams, 7 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy the legendary Tams, entertaining audiences for more than 40 years with a variety of music including the hits “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” “What Kind of Fool” and “I’ve Been Hurt.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. TheOriginalTams.com.

Announcement of Anything Goes Contest Winners: Anything Goes, Best Booth, Best Dessert and Best Sauce, around 10 p.m. – Come cheer for your favorite team as the winners are announced. South stage, south side of the lake.

Saturday, Sept. 5
Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off, 8-10 a.m. – Look on as the teams prepare their barbeque for judging of ribs, chicken and whole hog/butt. Football field, south side of the lake. Free.

4th Annual Wheels at the Beach Car Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Car enthusiasts can view more than 200 classic and antique cars and trucks organized by the Myrtle Beach Car Club. Vote for your favorite. Along Farrow Parkway. Free to spectators.

Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 10 a.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only.

Wake Board Demonstrations by Carolina Wake Sports, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. – Witness thrilling stunts on Grand Park Lake. The free shows last about 30 minutes each. Visit the Carolina Wake Sports booth to learn about wake board lessons. CarolinaWakeSports.com.

BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 11 a.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake.

Live Music, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. Free.

Sea Cruz, 2-3:15 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. SeaCruz.com. Free.

Wheels at the Beach Awards Presentation, 3 p.m. – Did your favorite car or truck win an award? Who won the 50/50 raffle? Get answers to these questions and more. All proceeds raised from the raffle, silent auction and competition will benefit Special Olympics of Horry County. Car show stage, north side of the lake.

S.C Education Lottery Grand Prize Giveaway, 4 p.m. – Visit their booth to buy a ticket and a chance to win the grand prize. Grand prize winner announced 4 p.m. Main stage, north side of the lake. SCEducationLottery.com.

Announcement of Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off Winners, 5 p.m. – Learn which competitor will

earn the Grand Champion title and which competitors will receive prize money. Main stage, north side of the lake.

Sun Fun Celebration of Summer Closing Ceremony, 7 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. Free.

Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, 7:30 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy Beach Music’s Hall of Famer Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. Their hits include “Stay,” which sold more than 8 million copies and was featured on the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, “Little Darlin’” and “May I.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. MauriceWilliams-Stay.com.

For more information, visit BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016.

This is also Joe’s pick of the week, click here to watch the video now about Events for Labor Day Weekend, South Carolina

Beach, Boogie, Barbecue in Myrtle Beach

Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 in Myrtle Beach, SC

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Fall is usually the time to pick up arts or crafts projects again. Kids go back to school, vacation time is over and for a lot of us, it’s back to the everyday life. A great way to get inspiration for your own arts and crafts project is to visit a show – and in South Carolina in August, there’s a great show.

Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 August 7-9th is a popular arts & crafts show in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina features original work from over 250 talented artists and craftspeople from across the country. Experience the creative process in action. Many exhibitors demonstrate their crafts throughout the weekend at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

For more details and a link to a dollar off coupon, visit our events calendar listing for The Craftsmen’s Classic Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach convention, South Carolina