Celebrate Mayfest on Main in North Myrtle Beach

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If the official start of spring is called the vernal equinox and the first day of summer is known as the summer solstice, what do you call the day midway between those two meteorological events? The sumnal solstinox? The vermer equistice?

The locals and visitors to North Myrtle Beach have a much better name for it — Mayfest on Main. With the 11th annual celebration set for Saturday, May 7 — exactly midway between the official starts of spring and summer — Mayfest on Main signals the unofficial start of the most fun and sunny days in downtown North Myrtle Beach with a big one-day blowout.

Held in the Horseshoe section of Ocean Drive and running the length of Main Street through the downtown district, Mayfest on Main brings together some of the area's favorite pastimes and attractions — live music and entertainment on two outdoor stages, dancing in the streets and McLean Park, hot food and cold drinks, shopping at hundreds of vendor tents, and fun and games for kids. It all adds up to a great day on the Grand Strand and the height of North Myrtle Beach's social calendar.

Mayfest on Main is known for attracting top national and regional musical acts and entertainers to the event’s Main Stage. Located in the Horseshoe at the corner of Ocean Drive and Main Street with the beach and Atlantic Ocean providing a picture-perfect backdrop, the Main Stage features a trio of bands that have made a major impact on modern music for different generations.

The headline act is Mickey Thomas' Starship, another reincarnation of a band that has been known as Jefferson Starship and Jefferson Airplane. Known for hits “We Built This City (on Rock 'N' Roll),” “Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now” and “Sara,” the latest rendition of Jefferson Airplane/Starship will perform both new songs and familiar tunes for fans of classic rock.

Undercard band Mother's Finest, which had hits with “Baby Love,” “Piece of the Rock” and “Mickey's Monkey,” will have the shaggers swinging and couples dancing. Also appearing is the modern rock band Dr. W, which features two of the founding members of the award-winning act Collective Soul. The original band had hits with “Shine” and “The World I Know.”

Following Mayfest on Main’s opening ceremonies at noon, Mother's Finest (12:30 p.m.), Dr. W (2 p.m.) and Starship (4 p.m.) take the stage.

On the Community Stage in McLean Park, three regional and local bands will perform, beginning with Midnight Allie (10 a.m.) and followed by Sunburst Radio (12:30 p.m.) and Miracle Max and the Pet Monsters (2:30 p.m.). The park will also be home to numerous vendors selling their arts, crafts and souvenirs, as well as food and beverages. Vendors serving traditional fare like hot dogs and hamburgers are mixed with tents serving fresh seafood and refreshing drinks. Others are also set up along Main Street and side roads.

The Kids Zone provides a safe and fun place for the little ones to enjoy the festivities, with inflatable play areas, a petting zoo and pony rides, arts and crafts projects, and games with prizes on the agenda. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring a beach chair or blanket so they can relax while watching the kids and bands play. Mayfest on Main offers free admission and parking and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., although the after-parties continue at the dance clubs and bars downtown.

Guests at North Beach Plantation are only a short drive from the action at Mayfest on Main, and they can look forward to returning to the resort after the festival for a relaxing evening on our spacious oceanfront pool deck, a nightcap at the swim-up bar, or some time unwinding with our elegant accommodations and private balcony overlooking the ocean. It’s the best way to spend a spring/summer day in North Myrtle Beach.