Crowds Fill Ocean Boulevard Again
By Lenore McKenzie-Morris
The light turned red on Ocean Boulevard at Eighth Avenue North, but no one on the stage or dance floor stopped moving on Saturday in Myrtle Beach.
Dressed in bright red suits, Charlie Thomas' Drifters belted out "There Goes My Baby" and other beach music favorites at the public party to celebrate the construction of the city's new boardwalk.
"We're really pleased with it," said Mayor John Rhodes, who noted that the turnout for the multi-sponsored event was good and the weather had cooperated. "We have something here that has an opportunity to really grow with the October Fest next weekend; I think we're going to see a big turnout.
"We're changing things. The scariest word in the English language is change, but we've got to be willing to take the opportunity. I think it's exciting, personally."
Sponsored by the city, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses, the event was set to mark the coming of the city's mile-long boardwalk next spring. Construction is now underway. Burroughs and Chapin, owner of the former Pavilion property, and MB Kahn, the boardwalk contractor, were among the sponsors.
On Friday night, two bands kicked off the block party that stretched from 8th Avenue North to 10th Avenue North. Classic car owners showed off their cars on Saturday while several more bands took to the stage. A brief shower dispersed the crowd Saturday afternoon, but the street refilled quickly after the drizzling stopped, and soon the dance floor filled with shaggers again.
Located off to the side on Burroughs and Chapin's property, the dance floor was touted as the largest shag dance floor in the world. It was located on the site of the former Pavilion's Magic Attic, site of many dance parties in the past.
Between songs, Charlie Thomas reminisced about the past with the predominantly older crowd and hoped the beach music traditions would continue.
"If you see someone walking around with his britches hanging down, tell them to go learn some gold old rock and roll 'cause we need some more of that," he said.
Drawing applause and laughter from the audience, Thomas was clearly a hit with the crowd.
Sitting in chairs in the middle of the boulevard, music fans sang along to the tried-and-true favorites while enjoying the ocean breeze in the aftermath of the light rain.
With beer in hand, others paused before a 12-foot by 12-foot rendering in sand that depicted the future boardwalk.
Nearby stores and bars were busy throughout the two-day event.
Councilman Chuck Martino estimated there were approximately 1,000 people near the bandstand during the event at any one time.
"But they came and went, like a tide in and out," he said. "There was a lot of activity on Ocean Boulevard. A lot of businesses filling up. There was a lot of excitement to have something like that going on."
The boardwalk took 13 years to come to fruition, Martino said. It started with the Pavilion task force but the issue was always how to fund the project.
"We funded the boardwalk in a recession and a 1.5 mill reduction in property tax at the same time," he said. "When a lot of people said we would not be able to do it, we managed to put it together."
Martino said the downturn in the economy were part of the reason the city was able to launch the project since the materials and builder bids came in at 50 percent of the expected cost.
Conway-based M.B. Kahn was awarded the contract for the $6-million, 1.2-mile-long boardwalk. The project will be completed by June. City officials and local business owners anticipate the promenade will attract joggers, bikers and pedestrians to the center of Myrtle Beach's coastline.
The northern section will be an eight-foot elevated wooden boardwalk and include serene landscaping to highlight the natural environment. A second section is expected to draw heavier traffic between Plyler Park at Joe White Avenue and 7th Avenue North. With adjacent commercial properties offering diversions, food and products, this area is designated as a high-energy draw for the downtown area. The final phase is laid out as a linear park with benches and informative signs about the wildlife. Dubbed the South Promenade, this segment of the new boardwalk and promenade is meant to be a relaxing environment.
"I'm interested in the boardwalk because a lot of the girls I work with come here on vacation and bring their kids," said Peggie McAveney, a first-time visitor from Delaware. "I had heard for years about Myrtle Beach and never had an opportunity to get here. It's fabulous.
"I flew in on Friday and saw this on TV today. I really like it here and this is such a bonus."
The next block party will be the 2009 Downtown Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest on Oct. 3, from noon to 11:30 p.m. in the area from 11th Avenue North to Ninth Avenue North. Performers include Painted Man Josh Roberts & the Hinges, Hot Lava Monster, Madonna Nash, Parmalee, Cravin Melon and Edwin McCain. In addition to the beer, visitors can sign up to participate in the bratwurst eating contest.
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