The start of summer on the Grand Strand is cause for celebration, and no town does it quite like North Myrtle Beach and its annual MayFest on Main festival, which will be held Saturday, May 10th.
Serving as the unofficial kickoff to summer season on the Strand, MayFest on Main is also a throwback to the good old days of dancing in the downtown clubs of Ocean Drive. Beach music and the shag, the state dance of South Carolina, have been a part of the history and culture of North Myrtle Beach since the 1950's, and they are mainstays of the MayFest on Main shindig.
Traffic is closed around the Horseshoe section of the downtown district, between Ocean Drive and Main Street. The main concert stage is set up just steps away from the beach at the end of Main Street. Crowds bring lounge chairs and enjoy a full day of live beach music while others shag in the streets to the familiar sound of summer.
Headlining the ninth annual MayFest on Main is a collection of beach music pioneers billed as the Legends of Surf Music. Al Jardine and David Marks, founding members of the Beach Boys, and Den Torrance, formerly of Jan & Dean, will perform as a trio to close out the full day of music.
Also taking the stage are Blue Monday, the Ross Coppley Band and the Surf City All-Stars , with special guest Matt Jardine, Live music will follow the opening ceremonies at noon, but the festival gets under way at 10 a.m. and the fun runs well after the scheduled 6 p.m. finish. The crowds spill into the dance clubs along Ocean Drive and shag the night away at after parties.
MayFest on Main also features a wide selection of vendors setting up shop in the downtown area. Food and beverage stands are available and various arts and crafts vendors shop their wares. There's a community stage where local arts perform and a Kids Zone area where the little ones can burn off some energy at the family-oriented event.
MayFest on Main is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce's website or call 843-280-5570.
