Atlantic Beach announces makeover for annual Bikefest

Atlantic Beach’s Bikefest celebrations will arrive under a new name this year.

The town will hold its 2017 celebration under the name “Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival,” according to the town’s website.

Benjamin Quattlebaum, the town manager, said the festival will also include live entertainment in an attempt to keep visitors inside Atlantic Beach’s borders for the event, which stretches across multiple cities in the Grand Strand.

The town will hold beach concerts in the evenings from May 26 to 28, on the sand near 31st Street, he said.

Additionally, a producer is planning to erect a tent and host indoor music and dancing at 30th Street and Ocean Boulevard.

“We’re looking to expand the Bikefest to a major cultural event and a destination for the public and patrons,” Quattlebaum said.

He said that announcements for the musical groups, which will include Jazz and R&B acts, would be coming within the next week.

This story was originally published February 20, 2017 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Atlantic Beach announces makeover for annual Bikefest."