Top entertainment stories of the Grand Strand in 2015; top 5 to look forward to in 2016

As the Grand Strand gets ready to ring in 2016, we here at Kicks! reflect on 2015 and the year it was for entertainment:

4. Broadway turns 20 - Broadway at the Beach, one of the area’s largest attractions and a great employer for the area, turned 20. “Broadway at the Beach reinvented the way Myrtle Beach locals and tourists shop, dine and play over the last two decades,” wrote Claire Byun, reporter with The Sun News.

3. Businesses close at Broadway - Harold’s on the Ocean in North Myrtle Beach, Planet Hollywood in Myrtle Beach and MagiQuest at Broadway at the Beach all closed for business in September. The closings marked only some of the businesses who closed this year. Harold’s, Hollywood’s and Magiquest announcements came just after Labor Day weekend when thousands of tourists flocked to the beach for one final summer hurrah.

2. Revolutions Nightclub closes - Revolutions Nightclub, a staple on Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach, closed in November. The club has been at Broadway almost since the popular tourist destination was built 20 years ago. Constantly named one of the best clubs in the area, Revolutions is known for its large lighted walls and loud thumping music spanning genres from classic rock to rap.

1. Carolina Country Music Fest debuts - What made CCMF the top entertainment story of the year was the skepticism surrounding the first-year event. That skepticism later turned to awe as one by one, the likes of Lady Antebellum, Eric Church, Big & Rich, Hunter Hayes, and others took the stage on the former Pavilion site in Myrtle Beach.

Looking Ahead In 2016

1. CCMF returns - We’d be nuts not to believe 2016 will be bigger and better. Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line and more have been announced for the June 10-12 event. The second time for anything is always better — better for organizers planning the event and for concert-goers who have seen ways to be more frugal.

2. Horry County Fair returns after seven years - News of the fair possibly returning to the Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2015 exploded on social media, only to be doused within a week because of permitting issues with Horry County. Myrtle Beach Speedway general manager Steve Zacharias said the fair has not been held since 2009.

3. Myrtle Beach Freedom kicks off - The Myrtle Beach Freedom arena football team’s inaugural season starts with pre-season in March, and an eight-game scheduled starting in April. However, teams like the Freedom have traditionally had entertainment between quarters and halves, which are family friendly and often provide another great entertainment venue.

4. California Roots bring the Carolina Sessions - In 2015, the planned reggae concert was canceled due to flooding in the area. The April 9 rescheduled date will still bring 311, Souja and more to the former Pavilion site.

5. Suck Bang Blow turns 20 - SBB brings Rebel Son and Power Born Rebellion on July 2 to celebrate the bar’s 20th anniversary. More details will released as the even gets closer, said Bill Barber, manager.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Top entertainment stories of the Grand Strand in 2015; top 5 to look forward to in 2016."