"They are shagging.on the grand strand..on the Graaaa.annnd Straaaaand.Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!" Nothing like sounds from Hank Ballard in his beach dance classic, "Shaggin' on the Grand Strand", to get the beach-goers gyrating. (The "Shag" is of course a form of swing dancing that originated along the coastlines of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and bears no relation to the British slang for sex. Get your mind out of the gutter.)
Myrtle Beach is part of the uninterrupted sixty-mile coastline of Grand Strand that faces the Atlantic. Aptly dubbed the beach music capital of the world, Myrtle Beach is not only a haven for music enthusiasts and teenage party-goers; it offers an impressive range of family-oriented events and activities. Here are just a handful of the events coming up soon!
Beach Boogie and BBQ (August 29-30, 2008) - The summer celebrations will culminate in this food and music fest held at a former air force base in Valor Park. Witness Major League eaters battle it out to see who can fit the most sandwiches in their stomachs!
US Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament (October 2-4) - Anglers will compete in North Carolina's most prestigious and oldest fishing tournament for a 100,000 dollar cash prize.
The Cammy Awards (November 5-9) - This iconic awards ceremony honors performers of beach music and promotes the beach music scene. Besides the main event at the Alabama Theater, beach music makers would strut their stuff at the many beach clubs that dot the coastline of Grand Strand. Get ready to "shag" along!
Nights of a Thousand Candles (December 5-20) - Immerse yourselves in the spirit of Christmas during this event held at Brokegreen Garden. With the illuminated garden walkways, the carolers and the musicians, this promises to be a heavenly experience.
Most of these events are already open for registration and many of them offer great suggestions for lodging and transport. It will be prudent to log on to their official websites to register early and plan your itinerary.
This guide to the best of Myrtle Beach events was brought to you by W.H.Garcia.
Even if you don't visit during a festival there are always plenty of sites to see and things to do in Myrtle Beach. And when you stay in a beautiful beachfront condo in Myrtle Beach, you can get to and from the sites and things quickly and painlessly. (Painless is ALWAYS good.)