Posted on Sep 25, 2009 - 10:28 AM

It’s Festival Season!

By Christina Knauss

http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/09/G B 1515-thumb-300x200-2352.jpgFall means one thing along the Grand Strand: festivals! Festival season is in full swing for the next few months, with something going on almost every weekend.

Whether you like ethnic food and music, arts and crafts or traditional, down-home small town festivals, you'll find something you like at one of the area's popular festivals:

LATE SEPTEMBER

Myrtle Beach Greek Festival. All things Greek can be found at this hugely popular, annual four-day extravaganza sponsored by St. John's Greek Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach. Enjoy Greek food and pastries, vendors with authentic Greek souvenirs for sale, music and dancing, church tours and lectures and special activities for children.

When: Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 27, noon to 7 p.m.
Where: St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 3301 33rd Ave. N. Extension (off U.S. 17 Bypass), Myrtle Beach.
How much: $1 adults, children 10 and under admitted free.
Call: (843) 448-3773

Irish and Italian International Festival. Experience the fun of exploring both Italian and Irish heritage at this festival, now in its sixth year. Sponsored by the city of North Myrtle Beach and co-sponsored by popular watering hole Flynn's Irish Tavern, this festival includes food, live music, arts and crafts and dance groups celebrating both of these popular cultures.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Main Street, North Myrtle Beach.
How much: Admission free.
Call: (843) 281-3737

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival. For 34 years, this festival has been a Mecca for the nation's finest artisans as well as art lovers from all over. This year's festival, located as always on the grounds of the beautiful Atalaya castle home at Huntington Beach State Park, will feature more than 100 artisans offering everything from painting and sculpture to glassware, metalwork, jewelry and much more. There will also be plenty of Lowcountry food on sale as well as performances by local musicians.

When: Friday, Sept. 25, 12 - 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Huntington Beach State Park, off U.S. 17 Bypass near Murrells Inlet
How much: $6 daily festival admission fee for adults, multi-day adult pass $10. 15 and under free. Park admission free.
Call: (843) 237-4440.

OCTOBER

Market Common's Oktoberfest. The Market Common's Second Annual Oktoberfest will be bigger and better this year with more German food, more beer, live music, kids' activities, prizes and more. The menu includes:

From Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant - German sausages (bratwurst, knockwurst, frankfurters) with house-made beer mustards, braised red cabbage, sauerkraut mashed potatoes, house-made pretzels, and lots of Festbier.
http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/09/Roy and Sids-thumb-275x184-2349-thumb-200x133-2350-thumb-200x133-2351.jpgFrom Roy & Sid's American Kitchen - Pork schnitzel sandwich with caraway-braised cabbage, roasted apples, and stone-ground mustard.
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 3-7 p.m.
How much: No admission fee; German food and beer will be sold and there will be live German music and other activities
Where: Valor Park, The Market Common, Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach
Details: Visit the event Web site.

Wooden Boat Show. The 20th annual show, held along the waterfront and Front Street in Georgetown, features one of the nation's largest wooden boat exhibits, with an estimated 100 slated to be on display. You'll see everything from canoes and kayaks to surfboards, classic sailboats and powerboats. There are also wooden boat-building competitions for children and adults, maritime arts and crafts, food and live music.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Along Front Street and historic waterfront, downtown Georgetown
How much: Admission free. Money from sales and donations goes toward Harbor Historical Association planned maritime museum in Georgetown.
Call: 1-877-285-3888
On the Web: www.woodenboatshow.com

Loris Bog-Off. What started as a cooking contest to see who can make the best chicken bog (a signature Grand Strand and Pee Dee-area dish consisting of chicken, rice and sausage) has turned into Loris' biggest annual event, drawing more than 20,000 people to this rural farming town in northeastern Horry County. The 30th annual Bog-Off will include a huge chicken bog contest, live music, fireworks, more than 200 craft and food vendors, and a children's pavilion.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Downtown Loris
How much: Admission free
Call: (843) 756-6030
On the web: www.lorischambersc.com

NOVEMBER

Dickens Christmas Show. Travel back in time to the 19th-century England made famous in the novels of Charles Dickens, especially in his immortal classic "A Christmas Carol." For 28 years, the Dickens Show has been one of the most popular holiday attractions on the Grand Strand and around the Carolinas. For three days, more than 300 vendors dressed in Victorian-era clothing will offer you a huge variety of holiday-themed arts and crafts, as well as other wares. The show is set up to replicate London holiday streets, including wandering musicians and carolers in period dress.

When: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Nov. 12-14, Noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 15
Where: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
How much: $8 adults, $4 children 2-12, under 2 free. Multi-day passes $12.
Call: (843) 448-9483
On the web: www.dickenschristmasshow.com