You would be forgiven for thinking that North Myrtle Beach was the festival capital of the world.
Between March and September there are three major festivals held here: Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in March, Mayfest on Main in May and the Irish Italian International Festival in September. Plenty of food, drink, music and street entertainment is on offer at each of them, of course, and you’ll have the chance to buy locally produced arts and crafts too.
St Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is a celebration of all things Irish. Wear green for St Paddy and welcome in spring at this Festival for all the family. Dress up as a Leprechaun and you could find yourself voted North Myrtle Beach’s favorite. This is a spectacular day, with the Parade starting at 9am and the Festival fun running from 11am until 4pm. Competitions and entertainment are laid on for all ages. Come and see the biggest Parade and Festival on the Grand Strand and enjoy over 100 floats and more than 125 stalls, plus two music stages. Put the date in your diary this very minute – Saturday March 12, 2016. And don’t forget to buy your souvenir T-shirt, now.
Mayfest on Main
Mayfest on Main street is the area’s summer welcome. Saturday May 7, 2016 will see locals and visitors alike enjoying the warmer weather at the beach, plus the usual selection of live music, local arts, crafts and food. The event offers 8 whole hours of sunbathed festivities and the chance to try many of the local culinary specialties. Main Street is closed for the duration so everyone can enjoy the best of the stalls, plus as much of the music as possible. There is a wide range of unusual items on sale, suitable for all ages, so why not drop by if you’re in the area, or make it the centerpiece of your spring vacation if you’re not here but want to be?
Irish Italian Festival
The Irish Italian International Festival takes place whatever the weather at the end of September. It’s the official farewell to summer and welcome to fall, but that doesn’t stop it from being just as much fun as the other two festivals. After all, it combines the Irish party tradition with the Italian love for food and throws in a bit from all the other notable cultures of the world too. This year’s festival is being held on Saturday September 24, 2016 and promises to be the way to send summer off in style with music, food, competitions and fun throughout the day. Food? Did somebody mention food? There’s a restaurant competition and a spaghetti eating contest for starters, plus LEGO building for prizes for the under-12s. Sixty vendors will be on hand to cater for your every need, including local painters and jewelry makers as well as those selling items from further afield. Musical tastes from brass bands to zydeco are covered, so you might find yourself practicing some dance steps.
Whatever the season, whatever the occasion, there’s always something going on in North Myrtle Beach, so check out the events listing and plan your next vacation.
