Memorial Day and Bikefest crowds combined to pack Myrtle Beach Ocean Boulevard Saturday night.

Good weather and the return of Atlantic Beach Bikefest to the Myrtle Beach area this year created a festive atmosphere on Ocean Boulevard Saturday night of the Memorial Day weekend.

While the City of Myrtle Beach made the boulevard traffic single lane and southbound only, the notorious ‘traffic loop’ that once hindered motorcyclists making the trek South from Atlantic Beach Bikefest was removed this year resulting in a steady flow of custom cars, trucks and bikes down the strip.

Throngs of visitors jammed the sidewalks, beach and and restaurants, sometimes even dancing in stores and on the crosswalk.

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of the summer tourist season in Myrtle Beach.