Oktoberfests and festivals kick off this weekend
Fall is my favorite time of year in Myrtle Beach. The weather’s spectacular, the water’s still warm, and there are plenty of free and cheap activities to keep me busy. Here’s a list of what’s happening over the next few weeks:
Friday and Saturday (10/2-10/3)
Oktoberfest at The Market Common begins today and runs through Saturday. Admission is free.
There will be live entertainment; food, beer and craft vendors; kids’ games and activities; a pumpkin patch and more. Hours are from 4-9 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
The annual Surfside Beach Family Festival will take place on Surfside Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. This event includes live music, inflatables, kids’ activities (e.g., train rides, face painting, rock climbing wall, petting zoo, jousting pit), fire truck tours, food and craft vendors and more.
The city of Conway is having its annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday in downtown Conway (3rd Avenue and Laurel Street). Admission is free. This event includes live entertainment, a car show, arts and crafts, a kids’ play zone, food vendors and more.
Tuesday (10/6)
The 32nd annual Taste of the Town will take place from 4-10 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Adult tickets are $5 in advance; $6 at the door. Kids 14 and under get in free with an adult. Parking is $5. This event includes food sampling from more than 50 local restaurants, culinary awards, beer and wine for purchase, live music, a KidZone and a kids’ scavenger hunt. Go to www.totmb.com/ for advance tickets.
Saturday and Sunday (10/10-10/11)
On Saturday and Sunday, The Oceanfront Merchant’s Association is holding its annual Oktoberfest on Ocean Boulevard in downtown Myrtle Beach. Admission is free. This event includes live music, a beer garden, food and craft vendors, a car show, a kids’ carnival, a petting zoo with camel and pony rides, inflatables and more. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Little River Chamber of Commerce is having its annual ShrimpFest on the historic waterfront in Little River. Admission is $5. This event includes live music, food and craft vendors, street performers and kids’ activities. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Sons of Italy Myrtle Beach (Lodge 2662) is having a Festa Italiana on Saturday and Sunday at Broadway at the Beach near Hard Rock Cafe. Admission is $1. This event includes live entertainment, food and drinks for purchase (including beer and wine) and art and craft vendors.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
JULIE HENRY is a freelance writer, editor and project manager. She owns and operates Myrtle Beach on the Cheap: www.myrtlebeachonthecheap.com.
This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 6:32 AM with the headline "Oktoberfests and festivals kick off this weekend."