Thousands Enjoy Myrtle Beach Independence Day Celebration
By Heather Gale
Shagging, the Twist, inflatable slides, food, music, fireworks and games all welcomed more than 2,000 residents and visitors to BB&T Coastal Field June 28 for the annual Myrtle Beach Independence Day celebration.
The event's festive, family-oriented atmosphere has attracted thousands of visitors over the years. This year was no different, as families took to the stadium's playing field with lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Kids split time between eating snacks and running about to play with friends.
Among the visitors was Pier-Francesco Mini, a visitor from Italy, who soaked in the atmosphere from his picnic blanket while enjoying his Burger King. Mini was excited to see a great American pastime in this Independence Day celebration.
"This is a very strange thing for me," he said. "In Europe, we don't have such a celebration. We only see it in movies."
Mini said his cousins Laura Smith and Tommaso Mini, both of Myrtle Beach, brought him to the celebration to show him a good time.
"I really like it," he said. "It is an ideal American experience."
Mark Kruea, City of Myrtle Beach spokesperson, said Myrtle Beach's Independence Day celebration is a great family event.
"People love to bring their kids, a picnic, listen to great music and spend time with neighbors," he said. "This event is maybe the most family-friendly event we have on the beach."
With his familiar radio voice, Scott Richards, DJ from Easy 105.9/100.7, was the master of ceremonies for the event and said the radio station has been a sponsor for years.
"We love to come out, emcee and see the people having fun," he said. "This is a great family event the city puts together, and we're happy to be a part of it."
To show support on behalf of City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Gray welcomed the crowd and expressed his delight at the impressive turnout.
"It is an honor and pleasure to put an event on like this, and our city staff does a great job," he said. "This is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy Myrtle Beach in a family-friendly atmosphere."
The music that got people out of their seats was played by The Andrew Thielen Big Band, outfitted in matching red-, white- and blue-striped shirts as its singers wore matching red satin dresses.
An Independence Day celebration performer for the past four years, the Andrew Thielen Big Band is comprised of musicians and singers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. They play the "greatest songs of yesterday and today," all with the sound of three trumpets, three trombones, five saxophones, piano, bass, drums and singers, according to their Web site.
On this day, each song the band played was its own rendition of the classics, and filled the air with family-friendly music.
Along with the music and food, children had the opportunity to play on the four inflatable obstacle courses and slides the City of Myrtle Beach provided for the event. Each piece of the inflatable playground had a line of children waiting to run through the obstacle course or slide down the slide. And even with the heat, not a single child stuck to the plastic.
Dawn Longman of Winston-Salem, N.C., said the inflatable slides are her daughter's favorite. "We have come to the event before and she always loves to play on them," she said. "I am glad they have them for the kids."
As her granddaughter played on the inflatable slide, Bettye Klein of Myrtle Beach said she has been coming to the event for years.
"This is always a nice event and we look forward to it every year," she said. "There are so many great activities for the kids, and this is just a wonderful thing the city puts on."
After two hours of music and dancing, the City of Myrtle Beach gave onlookers a spectacular, 20-minute fireworks show.
"The fireworks are one of the best things," Klein said. "The kids just love them."
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