Irish, Italians, shrimp & crab won’t be celebrated with the cancellation of these events
Three large festivals on the north end of the Grand Strand have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 17th annual Irish Italian International Festival in North Myrtle Beach, a free family-oriented event that annually attracts approximately 15,000 people according to its organizers, has been canceled.
The 2021 Irish Italian International Festival was scheduled for Sept. 25.
The World Famous Blue Crab Festival in Little River and Little River Shrimpfest also have been canceled.
The Blue Crab Festival was scheduled to be held May 16-17, and was initially postponed and combined with Shrimpfest on Oct. 10-11.
The Blue Crab Festival is in its 39th year and is annually the biggest event in the Little River area, selling between 25,000 and 30,000 entrance tickets per year, with many customers coming from outside the market, according to Jennifer Walters, president and CEO of the Little River Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, which operates the event.
The Shrimpfest event was going to be held for the 16th consecutive year.
“We have continuously monitored the guidance of local, state and national officials and agencies and researched all viable options,” Walters said in a release. “And, in light of Gov. McMaster’s recent orders for festivals and outdoor events, there is just too much ambiguity to try to plan and execute a successful event for October.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 5:19 PM.
