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

New Year’s Eve in Jacksonville

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Ring in the New Year downtown Jacksonville

New Year’s is always a big deal in Jacksonville, and not only because of the big game. Many of us can’t wait to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in a new brighter year. Come to downtown and plan to spend the day!

Downtown Jacksonville starts its celebration early with a 5K run. The Vystar 5K run is held at 1:30 pm right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along the parade route.

Gator Bowl Parade
Then at 3:00 pm it’s time for the big parade. The Gator Bowl parade hits 60 this year, but this won’t stop this parade from going strong. Traditionally the parade includes floats from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Fernandina Pirates, the Shriners and a huge variety of colorful floats, music from both high school bands and college bands, and much more.

The parade starts at the Prime Osborn Convention Center and on Water Street in front of the Federal Reserve Bank. It continues east on Water Street to Independent Drive, left on Laura to Bay Street, following Bay street back to the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

After the parade you can head to the Landing for pep rallies for the football fans, the Christmas Tree Light shows, and then it’s a New Year’s Party with live entertainment on stage.

There’s also a Party in the Park at Metropolitan Park, beginning at 5:00 pm. with live music from Donavon Frankenreiter and others.

Fireworks
At midnight it’s time for the grand finale of the evening when we count down to 2010. Spectacular fireworks will light up the sky and reflect in the waters of the St. Johns River. The fireworks are actually shot from barges located in the river right in front of The Jacksonville Landing, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Metropolitan Park.

The fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank. For more information, call (904) 630-3690.