Key dates for Myrtle Beach area in 2010

FEBRUARY

Feb. 28: Nonstop flights between Toronto and Myrtle Beach International Airport start

SPRING

Construction begins on terminal expansion at Myrtle Beach International Airport

MARCH

March: Grand Strand Regional Medical Center breaks ground on a $54 million expansion

March 20: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown County opens

March 25: Center and north sections of boardwalk opens

March 31: Appliance rebate program for Energy Star products starts in South Carolina, with rebates ranging from $50 to $500, and continues until $3.9 million for the program through the federal stimulus package is issued

APRIL

April 6: Nonstop flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and Myrtle Beach International Airport start, runs through Oct. 31

April 11: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" episode featuring the Suggs family from Loris airs (tentative)

April 15: Deadline to file your federal and state tax returns

April 23-26: USA Team Handball Collegiate National Championships at Broadway at the Beach

April 30: Nonstop flights between Grand Rapids, Mich., and Myrtle Beach on Allegiant Air start

April 30: Home buyers must sign a contract to buy a property by this date to qualify for the special tax credit

April 30-May 2: USA Judo 2010 Senior National Championships, Myrtle Beach Convention Center

MAY

May 1: Nonstop flights between Atlanta and Myrtle Beach begin on Spirit Airlines

May 7-16: Grand Strand Cruisin' The Coast Spring Rally

May 14-16: Taste food show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center

May 16-23: Coastal Uncorked food and wine festival, featuring restaurant week, chef competition and golf competition

May 28-31: Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bike Fest

May 28-31: Military Appreciation Days Festival in Myrtle Beach

JUNE

June 15: Opening of southern end of the boardwalk

June 30: Home buyers must close on a property by this date to qualify for the special tax credit

SUMMER

Late summer: Loris Community Hospital will open a new emergency department, intensive care unit and pharmacy

AUGUST

Aug. 6-8: Sales tax holiday in South Carolina

Aug. 6-8: World Soccer Tour will have its first three-on-three World Cup Championships at Grand Park near The Market Common

Aug. 30-Sept. 3: Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship in Myrtle Beach

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 29 - Oct. 3: Grand Strand Fall Bike Rally

OCTOBER

Oct. 2-3: Long Course Triathlon Halfmax National Championship, Halfmax Club National Championship in Myrtle Beach

2011

Boeing begins production of 787 Dreamliner at new plant in North Charleston

Spring: WonderWorks, 29,000- square-foot science attraction, opens at Broadway at the Beach

June 26 - July 3: USA Track & Field hosts the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Doug Shaw Stadium

Dec. 12: USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships at Whispering Pines Golf Course