April abundant with festivals, special outings to enjoy

▪ “Civil War Trust Park Day,” group volunteer cleanup by ages 10 and older, 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, N.C., off U.S. 421. Register at 910-458-5538, ext. 201; or email john.moseley@ncdcr.gov. www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/.

▪ At Brookgreen Gardens, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach – in April, open 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily – Annual “Plantacular Sale” 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; and “Nature Connects: Legos Bricks Sculpture” exhibit, through Sept. 5. Garden admission, which lasts seven days: $16 ages 13-64, $14 ages 65 and older, $8 ages 4-12, and free ages 3 and younger. 843-235-6000, 800-849-1931 or www.brookgreen.org.

▪ “Park Palooza,” 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, at Myrtle Beach State Park, on U.S. 17 Business, one mile south of Ocean Boulevard/Farrow Parkway, across from Seagate Village – with many activities such as introductory orienteering and “Birdhouses” at 10 a.m.; pickleball 11-11:45 a.m.; geocaching and “Owlology” noon; “Sharks!” and “Leave No Trace Workshop” 1-1:45 p.m.; and “Snakes and Lizards” and Outdoor Cooking for Dummies” 2 p.m. (this one costs $2 extra, cash). Most events free with park admission: $5 for ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15. Also, “Art Under the Oaks” painting class, of octopus on canvas, 1 or 3:30 p.m. Sunday, for $25, with preregistration at 843-238-0874. Park open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. www.myrtlebeachsp.com.

▪ “Birds of Prey Day,” Saturday at Huntington Beach State Park, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach – activities include guided walk 10-11 a.m.; “Meet the Animals” with Brookgreen Gardens zookeeper, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; live raptor show 1-2 p.m. with The Center for Birds of Prey, from Awendaw; owl-pellet dissection 2-3 p.m.; children’s crafts, to make pinecone owl to bring home, 3-4 p.m.; “The Messenger” movie, outside Atalaya. Free with park admission: $5 for ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15. Park open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Sunday, then until 10 p.m. as of Monday. 843-235-8755 or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com.

▪ “Indie Market on Laurel,” 2-9 p.m. Saturday on Laurel Street in downtown Conway, including music by Steady Hand String Band and Gravy Crockett. Free. 843-248-4527 or www.createconway.org/indie_market_on_laurel.

▪ “Hobnob at Hobcaw” benefit for Waccamaw Riverkeeper, 4 p.m. Saturday at Hobcaw Barony Kimbel Lodge, on U.S. 17, just north of Georgetown. $30 ($25 Riverkeeper/Winyah Rivers Foundation members), including dinner and Sawgrass concert. Also: “Clean Up Our Local Waterways: kickoff 9 a.m.-noon April 23 at Conway Marina, on Elm Street, with other local cleanups elsewhere through May 7, culminating with “Trash Bash,” 2-4 p.m. at The Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill, 201 Fantasy Harbor Blvd., along the Intracoastal Waterway, just west of Myrtle Beach, off U.S. 501, next to Clarion Hotel. 843-349-4007 or www.winyahrivers.org.

▪ Spring Garden Festival for Low Country Herb Society scholarship fund, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 8-9 at Inlet Culinary Garden, 5071 U.S. 17 Bypass S., Murrells Inlet. www.lcherbsociety.info.

▪ Merchant Marine veterans monument unveiling, with John T. Schmidt S.C. Palmetto Mariner Chapter, 10:30 a.m.-noon April 8 at Myrtle Beach’s Warbird Park, on Farrow Parkway, just west of U.S. 17 Business, along southern end of Myrtle Beach International Airport, near cross-intersection with Ocean Boulevard. 843-685-1964 or www.usmmsc.com.

▪ Craft show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 9 at The Lazy Gator, 3986 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Free. 203-982-8652.

▪ Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild’s 44th annual “Art in the Park,” starting with 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 9-10 in Myrtle Beach’s Chapin Memorial Park, at Kings Highway and 14th Avenue North, and April 16-17 in city’s Valor Memorial Garden, on Farrow Parkway, at The Market Common. Free. 843-446-3830 or www.artsyparksy.com.

▪ Georgetown County Historical Society’s annual Winyah Bay Heritage Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 9 and 11 a m.-5 p.m. April 10 at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, along Sampit River, underneath U.S. 17 bridge going south from Georgetown. Free. 843-545-7020 or www.winyahbayfestival.org.

▪ Horry County Fair, April 15-24 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, 455 Hospitality Lane, off U.S. 501, near Tanger Outlets and Carolina Forest, including concerts, each 7:30 p.m. with separate tickets in addition to fair admission: Trace Adkins on April 15 ($25 or $45), Mike Posner April 16 ($20 or $40), Huey Lewis & the News April 22 ($30 or $50), and Montgomery Gentry April 23 ($25 or $45). Also, Nash Grier and Friends, 3 p.m. April 16 ($25). 843-236-0500 or www.myrtlebeachspeedway.com/hcfair/.

▪ “Pet Fair,” 9 a.m.-noon April 16, in Surfside Beach Dog Park, along Willow Drive North, between First Avenue North and Pine Drive, near Horry County Memorial Library Surfside Beach branch. Free. 843-650-9548 or www.surfsidebeach.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/pet-fair.pdf.

▪ WLFF-FM “Nash” 106.5’s “BaconFest,” 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 16 at House of Blues, in Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach, with Tru Sol performing noon-2 p.m. Free admission, and sampling tickets $1 each. 843-357-8664.

▪  Garden Party for Miss Ruby’s Kids early childhood literacy program, 2-5:30 p.m. April 17, with Kevin Jayroe, emcee, at Kaminski House Museum, 1003 Front St., Georgetown. $100. 843-436-7197 or www.missrubyskids.net.

▪ Dragon Boat Festival, for Ground Zero of Myrtle Beach, ministry to teens, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 in Myrtle Beach’s Grand Park, on Farrow Parkway, across from The Market Common. Free to see. 843-945-9440, ext. 203; or www.gzdragonboat.com

▪ Socastee Heritage Festival, for Socastee Heritage Foundation, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 on Dick Pond Road, between S.C. 707 and Peachtree Road, by swing bridge. Free. 843-458-1461 or www.socasteehf.com. Also, car show, by Hot Rod Promotions, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with $20 registration on site (843-503-8245).

▪ “Run for the Shelter” 5K and 1-mile Dog Walk, for The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, Saturday at North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, at S.C. 90 and Robert Edge Parkway, with run at 9 a.m., walk 10:30, and “Doggie Bone Hunt” 11 a.m. 5K entry $25 through Friday at www.grandstrandrunning.com, otherwise $30; walk or bone hunt $15 each, or both $25. 843-249-4948 or www.hsnmb.org.

▪ “Walk MS,” benefiting National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Carolinas Chapter, 9 a.m. April 9 in Myrtle Beach’s Grand Park, across from The Market Common. Donations welcome. Register at 855-372-1331 or www.walkmscarolinas.org.

▪ Horry-Georgetown Technical College 50th anniversary 5K run, 9 a.m. April 9 from HGTC Grand Strand Campus, 950 Crabtree Lane, Myrtle Beach, off Pampas Drive, near The Market Common. $20, and free for children. www.hgtc.edu/about_hgtc/news_center/5k-myrtlebeach-sc-HGTC.html.

▪ “5K Race for the Planet,” 8 a.m. April 17 from N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, on U.S. 421, just south of Kure Beach, N.C. $30 entry through Friday, otherwise $35 – also including aquarium admission for all of race day. 910-772-0500 or www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.

▪ “The Fast and the Furriest” 5K Run/Walk – with pets and strollers welcome – for Saint Frances Animal Center in Georgetown, 9 a.m. April 23 from Georgetown’s East Bay Park, on east end of Front Street. Advance at www.active.com: $30 individual ages 13 and older, teams at $25 person, and $20 ages 12 and younger; or $45 race day. 843-458-6487 or www.sfanimals.org.

▪ “Bringing Back the Village,” with Upward Bound, DJ Skillz, and KRS-One, keynote speaker, 2 p.m. Saturday at Conway High School, 2301 Church St. (U.S. 501), north of U.S. 378. $5 adult, $1 student. 843-855-9268.

▪ “California Roots: The Carolina Sessions Festival” – with Fear Nuttin Band, Fortunate Youth, Moska Project, The Movement, New Kingston, Passafire, Sun Dried Vibes, and TreeHouse– 11 a.m. April 9 (rescheduled from Oct. 3; those tickets still good), along Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Boulevard, between Eighth and Ninth avenues North, at former Pavilion site. Advance $79.04 or $160.49 ages 11 and older, and free ages 10 and younger with paid adult. californiarootscarolina.com.

▪ “Choir Challenge” – benefiting Each 1 Teach , a mentoring program for local middle and high school students – with such particpants as gospel choirs from Conway and Georgetown high schools, and Bridgewater Academy Choir Club, 6 p.m. April 9 at Coastal Carolina University Wheelwright Auditorium, off U.S. 501 in Conway. $8 advance or $10 at door for ages 11 and older, and $5 ages 10 and younger. 843-349-2787 or www.coastal.edu/news/culturalarts.

▪ North Myrtle Beach Rotary Club’s “Shaggin’ on the Boulevard” dance competition, 6-9 p.m. April 16 at Avista Resort, 300 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach. $60, including dinner. 843-222-4014 or www.rotary7770.org.

▪ “Bird Songs” Nashville Songwriters in the Round event, 5:30-9 p.m. April 16 for and at The Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 U.S. 17 N., Awendaw, about 35 miles south of Georgetown. $125, including dinner and beverages. 843-606-3400, 843-971-7474 or www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org.

▪ King Hippo reunion concert, 9 p.m. April 16 at Pawleys Island Tavern, 10635 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island. Free. 843-241-7069.

▪ Chicora Rotary Club’s “Waves of the Future: Rotary’s Celebration of Horry County Schools,” with performances by students from 24 Horry County Schools, 4 p.m. April 17 at Calvin Gilmore Theatre, on U.S. 17 Business at U.S. Bypass on northern tip of Myrtle Beach. Advance through April 10 – $19.95, $24.95 or $39.95 ages 17 and older; $9.95, $14.95 or $19.95 ages 3-16. Week of event – $24.95, $29.95 or $45.95 ages 17 and older; and same aforementioned rates for ages 3-16. 843-913-4000 or chicorarotary.org/waves-of-the-future/.

▪ “Southport Songwriter Festival,” April 18-24 at various sites in Southport, N.C., each event varies by price. $100 full-access pass. www.screendooralliance.com, or email southportsongwriterfestival@gmail.com.

▪ “Flip Flop Ball,” benefiting Children’s Museum of South Carolina in Myrtle Beach, 7-10 p.m. April 29 at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 9000 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, including music by Tru Sol, live seascape painting by Zach Williams, and outdoor games. $100. 843-946-9469 or www.mbflipflopball.org.

▪ Team 08 of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.’s “Miss Sugar and Spice & Master Everything Nice” – pageant for children through age 10, and benefiting Debutante Scholarship – 4 p.m. April 30 at Waccamaw High School, 2412 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island.. Entry deadline: April 15. 843-344-3900, 843-359-5806 or pearlgirlsjadajaz.eventbrite.com.

▪ “Green Fair,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 20 at HTC, 2201 U.S. 501,Conway, across from Horry-Georgetown Technical College, including collections of telephone directories, cell phones and any kind of used electronic devices for recycling, as well as on-site shredding of sensitive documents. Free. 843-369-8498 or htcinc.net/HTC-Green-Fair.

▪ The Wellness Council for South Carolina’s Earth Day Music Fest and 5K, April 23, with race at 8 a.m. ($25 entry, at runsignup.com) and expo 8-11 a.m., at Barefoot Resort and Marina, and music on The Deck at House of Blues, at Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17, in North Myrtle Beach, 7-11 p.m. 843-995-3199 or wellnesscouncilcsc.org.

▪ Autism-friendly events – Sand-castle building 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 1, 15 and 22, and “Family Surfing Experience,” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 15 and 22, all free at 13^th Avenue South beach access in Surfside Beach, with surf reservations required two weeks in advance; Sensory friendly visits 4-6 p.m. April 15 and 22 at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, free with admission; sensory friendly screening of “Zootopia,” 10 a..m. April 16 and 23 at Grand 14 Cinema at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach, for $5; and Spanky’s Ride for Autism Awareness, noon April 23 from Aynor Park, for for $15 entry and $5 additional passengers (973-917-9058). championautismnetwork.com, or email championautismnetwork@gmail.com.

▪ “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” display and benefit for Pretty in Pink Foundation (for breast cancer awareness) of Raleigh by Grand Strand Model Railroaders, Southeastern Modelers Flying Club, and Let’s Go Racing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Model Railroaders’ swap meet 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 9, both at Myrtle Beach mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres April 9. Free. Also: Flying club’s fly-in ($20 landing fee), 9 a.m. April 23 at its field, 548 Narrow End Road, Tabor City, N.C. All free to see. 843-293-4386 or www.gsmrrc.org.

▪ At Seacoast Artists Gallery, 3032 Nevers St., Myrtle Beach, in The Market Common – open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays – Seacoast Artists Guild’s Photography & Digital Art Spring Show, Saturday – including awards reception, 4-6 p.m. Saturday with Morris Peltz, classical guitarist – with exhibit through April 11; and Spring Art Show and Sale, April 15 – including awards reception 4-6 p.m. April 16 – and show through April 25. All free to see. 843-232-7009 or www.seacoastartistsguild.com.

▪ Benefits for Old Bridge Preservation Society of Sunset Beach, N.C.: Screening of “The Heartbeat of Sunset Beach” documentary,” 6:30 p.m. April 5 at Ingram Planetarium, 7625 High Market St., Sunset Beach, for $15 – call 910-363-6585; and Strawberry and Wine Festival, noon-5 p.m. April 24, with Mike’s Garage Band, at Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Island Beach, N.C. $5. 910-579-9021 or oldbridgepreservationsociety.org.

▪ “Purses with Purpose” benefit for North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club charities, 6 p.m. April 7 at Marina Inn Grande Dunes, 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach. $60, including dinner buffet. 843-249-9236 or www.northmyrtlebeachwomansclub.com.

▪ Fourth annual Spring Craft and Product Fair, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 9 at Maple Baptist Church, 4500 Highway 65. 843-365-3685.

▪ Luncheon benefit for Team First Book-Horry County – which provides new books to children in need – 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 9 at Inlet Affairs, 4024 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, with keynote speaker Diane Stokes, author of “Floating on Air: A Broadcasting Love Affair.” $30. 843-424-6578, 843-283-0514, 843-457-2088, 843-349-2087, www.facebook.com/firstbookhorrycounty, or email horryfirstbook@gmail.com.

▪ Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, April 20-23 at Carmike Cinemas’ Broadway 17, at Broadway at the Beach, off Robert M. Grissom Parkway, between 21st and 29th avenues North in Myrtle Beach. $10 per two-hour block of films, or $50 for all-access pass. 843-497-0220 or www.myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com.

▪ “Beethoven & Blue Jeans” Barbecue, benefiting Long Bay Symphony and Youth Orchestra, 5-9 p.m. April 17 at Inlet Affairs, 4024 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. $50, including meal, dancing, and cash bar. 843-448-8379, 843-503-2794 or longbaysymphony.com. Also, youth orchestra season finale concert, 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Coastal Carolina University’s Wheelwright Auditorium, off U.S. 501 in Conway, for $10 adults, $5 students.

▪ Passover Community Seder, by Temple Emanu-El, a Conservative Jewish congregation in Myrtle Beach, 6:30 p.m. April 22 at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 9000 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, with reservations due April 14. $55 ages 13 and older ($5 members), $30 ages 4-12 ($23 members). 843-448-5552 or www.mbsynagogue.org.

▪ “Tastes at Pawleys,” benefiting Father Pat’s Lunch Kitchen for needy, 4-8 p.m. April 24 at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, 1633 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island. $4 advance/$5 at door for ages 13 and older, and free ages 12 and younger; and food tickets $1. 843-237-3428 or www.pbocchurch.com.

▪ “Trio Dinner,” benfiting Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association’s scholarship funds directed at hospitality and culinary education, 6:30 p.m. April 25 at Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Oak Street and 21st Avenue North. $25 student, $85 individual, or $160 couple. 843-626-9668, www.triodinner.org.

▪ Tuscan-themed “Wine Fest,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 30 for and at Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach. $50. 910-579-1016 or www.museumplanetarium.org.

▪ “Compassion through Fashion” artistic fashion show for Myrtle Beach-based New Directions of Horry County Inc.’s homeless shelters for men, women and families, 7-9 p.m. April 30 at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, 8400 Costa Verde Drive, Myrtle Beach. Buy tickets – $25; or $50, including VIP reception 6-7 p.m. – at www.eventbrite.com/e/compassion-through-fashion-tickets-21321580421. Shelter details at 843-945-4902 or www.myndhc.org.

▪ N.C. Azalea Festival, April 6-10 in Wilmington, N.C., in various sites. From Myrtle Beach, take U.S. 17 north through Brunswick County and across the Cape Fear River. Events include concert series, 7 p.m. outside Cape Fear Community College, 411 N. Front St., with The Avett Brothers on April 7 ($55), Snoop Dogg with Doug E. Fresh on April 8 ($46.50), and Chase Rice with Kane Brown April 9 ($36.50). 910-794-4650 or www.ncazaleafestival.org.

▪  “ArtFields”festival and compeition, April 22-30 across downtown Lake City. www.artfieldssc.org.