Terry’s Top 10: Things to Look Forward To in May
By Terry Massey
There's a “dead period” in Myrtle Beach between spring break and the summer season, sort of a month-long calm before the start of the tourism storm.
The time between April showers and May flowers, the Grand Strand sits relatively empty. But once we flip the calendar page, it's on like Donkey Kong.
The sun gets sunnier, the shorts get shorter and the parties move outdoors, the way it should be when you live in the South and on the seashore.
So let's get this party started with the top 10 things to look forward to in the month of May:
10) The Grand Strand gets the month rocking from Day 1 (May 1) with the first Arts & Film Festival at the old Myrtle Square Mall site. There will be two free movies, including the kids' classic “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” and some borderline celebrities to meet and greet, as well as arts and crafts and food vendors. But the real reason to go is a free concert by blues legend Buddy Guy. If you haven't seen him before, put this one on your bucket list.
9) The Boathouse is the place to be on Sunday afternoons for live music and outdoor fun. The party is held in the Boathouse's scenic backyard on the Intracoastal Waterway, where boats anchor to check out the tunes and people of all ages and walks of life mingle on the lawn. Kids play while older kids tune in to the sounds of artists like Devon Allman (May 2), Appetite for Destruction (May 16) and 7 Mary 3 (May 23). Music starts at 4 p.m. every Sunday.
8) One of the first and best parties of the month is Cinco de Mayo, Mexico's version of our Quatro de Julio. The Grand Strand goes all out to go south of the border (not the Dillon tourist trap) with celebrations up and down the coast, but the annual bash at Fiesta del Burro Loco has the whole enchilada with an all-day festival of food, beverages and outdoor bands, including local favorites the Mullets. Buy them margaritas and they might play “Oye Como Va.”
7) Can't make it to the real Cinco de Mayo, which falls on a Wednesday this year? Fortunately for you weekend warriors there's a more 9-to-5 friendly festival on Saturday, May 8 (Ocho de Mayo), when downtown Myrtle Beach will be transformed into Mexico with a Lowcountry flair. In addition to the food and music, organizers of the first-year event also will offer Chihuahua races. No, I did not stutter. As David Letterman would say, please no wagering.
6) Don't feel like Mexican again tonight? Go north of the border to North Myrtle Beach's 5th annual Mayfest on Main, an all-day party on Main Street and historic Ocean Drive on Saturday, May 8. Browse the shops and vendors and bring a chair to catch live music on the main stage at the horseshoe. The event features free concerts by Eddie Money, the Bar-Kays and the Mighty Mighty Tams. A great place and day to “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy.”
5) One of the best-kept secrets and best overall parties of the year, much less the month, is the Surfrider Foundation's Makai Luau at Crown Reef Resort. The Sunday, May 9, party features Hawaiian food, music, hula dancing and a fire show and it's for a great cause, protecting our coast. It's not the stuffy, black-tie ball like so many fundraisers, but a laid-back crowd that comes in their best flowered shirts and Bermuda shorts. A great place to hang loose.
4) If you don't mind the drive (and it’s a lot easier now that the May motorcycle rally traffic has abated), get cracking to the 29th annual Little River Blue Crab Festival, offering fun and food on the fishing village's waterfront on May 15-16. This festival split into two events years ago but the waterfront location has continued to be the hot spot. Fresh seafood, especially crab claws, is the main draw but there's also a kids' play area, vendors and live music.
3) For those who prefer their music with a little less rock and a lot more roll, the Beach Music Festival will be held in downtown Myrtle Beach on Saturday, May 15. This one is special because the ribbon will finally be cut on the new Boardwalk, even though it’s been finished and partially open for weeks. Ben E. King, The Embers and Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs are among the bands that will have the town literally shagging on the Boulevard.
2) The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are playing home games throughout the month, but there are only two nights that fans can have a blast or cheap beer. Thirsty Thursdays, which fall on May 13 and 27, have become the big night at the ballpark with dollar beers from 6 to 8 p.m., but not as big a draw as the postgame fireworks shows, which blast off on May 15 and 30. There are lots of special events going on all month and, oh yeah, a baseball game too.
1) For all the events planned for the Grand Strand in May, the best place to go this month is still the beach. The ocean temperature finally rises to a comfortable point and the sun shines enough to warm you up and dry you off once you reach the beach. Impromptu parties pop up along the coast, but you can still find some solitude at some of the less popular beach access. Music, food and drinks are great, but they can't beat the sun, surf and sand.
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