Weekend Outlook: Memorial Day Festivities, Observances Galore
By Lauren Poster
Memorial Day Weekend has finally arrived, as late as it can possibly come. But the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is making it well worth the wait. This weekend marks the beginning of the traditionally high season here in Myrtle Beach, when the Strand is packed with visitors and beach business is booming. In line with recent efforts to pull away from the wild biker fests that long predominated the month of May, the Chamber has arranged a series of events designed to honor veterans and reinfuse Memorial Day with its original spirit for residents and visitors alike.
Colonel Buzz Aldrin, the second astronaut to ever walk on the moon, will act as grand marshal for the first annual Military Appreciation Days parade on Ocean Boulevard between 8th and 9th Avenue North this Saturday. Events begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. High school marching bands, floats, and more will add to the parade, along with a group of wounded veterans from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. These men and women are still in recovery, and are traveling a long way to take part in the celebration. They are the real heroes, and this is a wonderful chance for us to remind them that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.
As part of the day’s events, a free concert will be held downtown featuring performers from the Disney Channel as well as the luminous Jordin Sparks, winner of American Idol season 6. Ms. Sparks is an inspired choice for the concert, considering that her rendition of the national anthem at the 2008 Super Bowl was widely lauded as one of the most powerful performances the song has ever enjoyed – and the thing is hard to sing, people.
Monday is also a big day for events. A presentation at Valor Park in the Market Common begins at 4 p.m. Brass band performances will preface a jump by the 82nd Airborne All-American Freefall Team. Mayor John Rhodes’ appearance, rifle salutes and a recognition of wounded vets all play a part in the ceremony, which culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. that night.
Loads of events surround the holiday this year. Check out www.militaryappreciationdays.com to find out about golf tournaments, ribbon cuttings and more.
If hubbub is not your style, you can check out the Dixie Chicken Funament in North Myrtle Beach at the Harbourgate Marina Friday through Sunday. This is a fishing tournament with available cash and prizes totaling $50,000. Proceeds from the event go to an artificial reef project in the Little River area. Visit www.dixiechickenfunament.com for details.
Whatever you do to celebrate the long weekend, take it slow and watch the roads. Whether it’s pedestrians or bikers, there will be plenty of traffic on the Strand this Memorial Day.
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