March Madness in Myrtle Beach
March is Myrtle Beach's month! The weather turns beautiful and with it the festival and events season kicks into high gear...
The National Shag Dance Competition swing into town the second week of March, bringing hundreds of expert Shaggers to the home of the dance craze that's still sweeping the nation decades after its debut.
If you're unfamiliar with Shag Dancing, and wonder why the National Competition is in Myrtle Beach, let us fill you in.
Next up is one of the longest-running festivals in South Carolina - the 41st Annual Can-Am Days Festival. South Carolina welcomes our Northern cousins with a string of events ranging from the Little Olympics to concerts to parades.
Speaking of parades, the St. Patrick's Parade in North Myrtle Beach is a traditional favorite. The green beer flows, and a bit of the Irish comes out in all of us!
If you're unfamiliar with Shag Dancing, and wonder why the National Competition is in Myrtle Beach, let us fill you in... the Grand Strand is the undisputed home of this dance craze turned Southern institution.
The Shag got it's start right after World War II, when an old beach house was turned into a beer joint called The Pad. The kids were looking for a new dance to go with the emerging Rhythm & Blues music, and Shag sort of evolved out of swing... but the re-arranged footwork is distinct, and serious Shaggers develop their own variations.
As "the kids" grew up, they introduced the dance to more and more people, and it's grown into a entire sub-culture of fun people who pursue a good time with enthusiasm! If you've never Shagged, or met the folks who do, we highly recommend you look into it. This is a group of wonderful people who are a blast to be around!
Everyone on the Grand Strand is going to be Irish this March 16th, as North Myrtle Beach hosts the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival at Surfwood Shopping Center. The parade jumps off at 9:30 am with over 100 floats and other participants marching down Main Street..
Following the Parade is the St. Paddy's Day Festival with musical guests, artists and craftsmen, great food and lots to do! Since it's start in 1988, this parade and festival has grown into a highlight of the Myrtle Beach calendar.
But the real star of early spring is the Can-Am Days Festival. This is the festival's 41st year, and it just keeps getting bigger and better... things start off Monday, March 11th from 9am to noon with welcome receptions at three area locations - Pepper Geddings Recreation Center at 3205 North Oak Street in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach Recreation Center on Possum Trot Road, and the Dick M. Johnson Civic Center in Surfside Beach.
After that Can-Am Days is non-stop entertainment - art exhibits, kid's events, tours, sporting events, festivals, dance, music - there is truly something for everyone in the family at Can-Am Days.
Let's start with the kids, see what there is for them... how about an International Kitefest? It's oceanfront at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion on March 12th, starting at 1pm. And, there's free kites to the first 300 kids! Kitefest is sponsored by Kligs Kites... you need to check Kligs' out, they have truly amazing kites in stock!
The Can-Am Little Olympics, sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, is free to kids age 3-12. Youngsters can test their skills in competitions based on beach games at Myrtle Beach Pavilion.
The Can-Am Cup 2002 Youth Soccer Tournament is the perfect excuse to get outside. It's running March 9th and 10th at various Myrtle Beach area soccer fields.
March 9th and the 11th through the 16th, Legends in Concert is putting on a series of shows that'll have toes tappin' throughout the theater. These are live, on-stage recreations of performances by your favorite artists - Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and many more.
The Grand Strand Shell Club Exhibit is set for Saturday and Sunday, the 9th and 10th. Now, what else says you've been to the beach than shells? Nothing except a tan! Stop by Inlet Square Mall for this one... the Grand Strand Model Railroaders are having their Open House above Ed's Hobby Shop at 702 Main street the same weekend.
And this is just a bit of what's going on at Can-Am Days this year! For more details, click on the Chamber of Commerce's link below for more info.
Ok, so you can see now that there's almost
an embarrassment of activities in Myrtle Beach in March... so, make your
hotel reservations now! 
