A holiday unlike previous years: How Memorial Day weekend kicked off in Myrtle Beach
The atmosphere in Myrtle Beach during the first night of the Memorial Day holiday weekend was unlike previous years.
While some elements were still the same, including the heavy police presence, monitored traffic patterns and pedestrian barricades set up along Ocean Boulevard, absent from the equation Friday night was the abundance of bikers partying along the oceanfront during their annual gathering.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Atlantic Beach Bikefest, also known as Black Bike Week, was postponed to Labor Day weekend. Some bikers still traveled to the area but the crowd was reduced significantly compared to previous years.
Despite the pandemic, tourists trickled in to Myrtle Beach on Friday to celebrate the holiday weekend. While social distancing and personal hygiene guidelines are still urged by health experts and local officials to mitigate the virus’ spread, few sported face masks, but there was enough room on the sidewalks to move around safely.
However, the calm and mostly tamed nature along Ocean Boulevard was a welcome change following last weekend’s blunder when the city reopened for tourism after a shutdown caused by COVID-19 but lacked the appropriate planning and enforcement. Failure to provide the necessary enforcement resulted in congested roadways, chaotic behavior and a near-fatal gang-related shootout.
Police Chief Amy Prock and Mayor Brenda Bethune said in a press conference Thursday morning that the city wasn’t prepared for the influx of tourists that inevitably flooded Myrtle Beach last week. Prock said the city expected a 30 percent occupancy rate that later became 100 percent.
Officials are expecting a 75 to 100 percent occupancy rate for the holiday weekend.
Though with the northbound lane closed on Ocean Boulevard, allowing for traffic to travel only in the southbound lane, traffic was steadily moving and remained under control. The nearly 450 local, state and federal law enforcement officials in the area were spread out in the northbound lane between 29th Avenue North and 29th Avenue South, providing added security and maintaining order.
While the controversial 23-mile traffic loop will not go into effect this year, unlike previous years, a traffic plan is in place to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists. Traffic will flow one way on Ocean Boulevard through 6 a.m. Monday, with traffic directed southbound and the northbound lane reserved for emergency traffic.
Access on and off Ocean Boulevard are limited to those with Kings Highway traffic signals, including 21st and 29th Avenues North, and 3rd, 13th, 17th, 19th and 25th Avenues South. Access for emergency vehicles only will be limited to 16th and 8th Avenues North and 6th Avenue South.
Traffic control devices are staged at various intersections throughout the city in the event of collision or incident. If a roadway does become too heavily congested and traffic demands exceed the roadway capacity, officials said a team of officers will divert traffic to a less congested area.
Furthermore, traffic cones are placed at streets leading into residential areas to avoid motorists disrupting neighborhoods. Prock assured there will be increased police presence near residential neighborhoods and back streets with the loop not being enforced.
South Carolina Highway Patrol is also monitoring eight intersections during peak travel times. Their role is to direct traffic and control the intersection to keep motorists moving and ensure the intersection doesn’t back up.
Golf carts are prohibited on Ocean Boulevard on aveneus south of 29th Avenue North until traffic devices are moved on Monday. Mopeds will also be prohibited south of 29th Avenue North from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting until restrictions lift on Monday. Officials said mopeds could be prohibited throughout the weekend if problems arise.
Those who violate the city’s rules will face a fine up to $500, imprisonment of 30 days or both.
