Myrtle Beach's oceanfront will once again be the site for an Oktoberfest celebration.
The City Council on Tuesday agreed to give the Oceanfront Merchants Association a special events permit for its Oktoberfest festival, scheduled for Oct. 9 on Ocean Boulevard between Plyler Park and the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park site.
OMA President Jonathan Staton told the council his group's goal is to make the festival a reason for visitors to come to Myrtle Beach in October, but he was also pleased that last year's event drew so many locals who said they had not had a reason to visit downtown Myrtle Beach in a long time.
This year, he said, the merchants group plans to add a one-day sports bar in the middle of Ocean Boulevard so football fans won't have to choose between watching the games and celebrating downtown.
He said he has not solidified the musical lineup yet, but promised to have a German oompah band. He said he is in talks with local, regional and national acts.
Staton said he recognizes it takes three years or so for an event to begin to catch on but also that last year's event exceeded his group's expectations.
The association estimated 10,000 people wandered in and out of the festival last fall.
Headline performer Edwin McCain drew a large crowd, and many people stayed for fireworks at 11 p.m. Staton said one of the most popular parts of the festival was the kids' zone, which was supposed to run from noon to 4 p.m.
"They didn't close down until 7 or 8 p.m.," he told the council.
Mayor John Rhodes praised the merchants group for its efforts in bringing people to downtown Myrtle Beach with Oktoberfest, the St. Patrick's Day festival and the 10-week Hot Summer Nights entertainment series.
"You are really to be commended," he said. He also wondered if any part of the Oktoberfest could take place on the new boardwalk.
Oceanfront Grill owner Russ Stalvey, one of the boardwalk-side businesses that now has a sidewalk cafe, said last fall, before the boardwalk was open, he had many people who wanted to sit in his bar and listen to the bands play. He said he imagines many more will be drawn to the boardwalk this year for the same reason.
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