35K coming for CCMF: What to know about roads, event – whether you’re going or not

This week some 35,000 people will pour into downtown Myrtle Beach for the area’s largest music festival.

The Carolina Country Music Fest will pack Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place at 812 N. Ocean Blvd. from Thursday, June 4, through Sunday, June 7.

After months of planning between CCMF organizers, the city of Myrtle Beach and Horry County, local leaders stress there are a few things everyone in the area needs to know, regardless of whether they plan to attend.

In Myrtle Beach

Get ready for traffic

Myrtle Beach drivers who aren’t headed to the festival should steer clear of the area around downtown to avoid traffic. Sgt. George Johnson with the Myrtle Beach Police Department recommends using Highway 17 Bypass or Robert Grissom Parkway, instead of Kings Highway in the downtown area.

“Plan ahead for traffic, we do expect large crowds,” Johnson said. “Give yourself extra travel time.”

Those venturing into downtown Myrtle Beach should plan for the city’s slew of road closures and redirections, some of which are already in place. Drivers relying on navigation apps can use Google Maps or Waze to find routes around the closures and traffic.

Bikes are allowed

People using bicycles will also be able to stay on the boardwalk from Seventh Avenue North to Plyler Park during the road closures, so they won’t have to go to Kings Highway.

Watch for pedestrians

Police expect “a tremendous amount of pedestrians,” both festival attendees and others. They encourage drivers to stay alert, particularly in the downtown area.

Know the rideshare system

People traveling to or from downtown Myrtle Beach can call a cab, Lyft or Uber. However, they should use the designated rideshare area. This year’s area is different from last year’s and will be at Ninth Avenue North between Kings Highway and Broadway Street. The city recommends using 506 Ninth Avenue North the address for rideshare services.

At the Carolina Country Music Fest

Have a game plan

Myrtle Beach leaders want every festival attendee to have a game plan with their group for arrival, departure and potential separations. In the limited festival grounds packed with people, it can be difficult to find friends in a crowd, and cell service can be spotty. Having an established meeting place in case of separation can be the easiest way to reunite.

If there’s a medical emergency, friends and family of the impacted individual can wait at the designated reunification center next to the medical tent.

In case of emergency, check the big screen

In an extreme weather event or other emergency where CCMF needs to evacuate, organizers will announce it on the big screen. Personnel will direct attendees out of festival grounds through posted exits to safe places.

Know the colors

Myrtle Beach will have workers around the festival in red, orange and yellow shirts. Personnel for each color are there serving a different purpose.

• Yellow: Safety. To prepare for CCMF safely, there will be fencing, hydro barriers, meridian barriers and MBPD officers around the festival in yellow polo shirts. If attendees are unsafe or witness something concerning, they can report it to officers.

• Orange: Waste. City staff in orange shirts will be out nonstop from Thursday morning through Monday afternoon to pick up trash and manage waste. Last year, CCMF yielded 72 tons of waste, and this year is sure to generate tons more. Attendees can help by being patient with workers and cleaning up after themselves. Red trailers around the festival grounds collect cans, which benefit children with the South Carolina Burn Foundation. This year also marks the first time CCMF will have a dedicated cardboard recycling dumpster.

• Red: Emergency medical personnel. The Myrtle Beach Fire Department will have employees out in red shirts carrying emergency packs. In case of a medical emergency, they can help and determine if evaluation at the Tidelands Health medical tent is necessary.

Be health-conscious

During long, warm days, dehydration, overheating and exhaustion can strike without much warning. Festivalgoers who may need assistance shouldn’t hesitate to seek out emergency personnel in red shirts or the Tidelands Health medical tent.

There is no cost to be seen at the triage center, and authorities estimate 95% of issues do not require hospitalization. Here’s how attendees may be able to avoid becoming one of the 200 people who visit the tent at CCMF.

• Stay hydrated. Emergency responders say the most important thing CCMF attendees should do is hydrate. This year, there will be a wellness area with cooling and hydration stations, as well as vendors selling water.

“The biggest thing we want to tell people is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and if you think you’ve hydrated enough, hydrate some more, and that is with water and not other substances,” said MBFD Capt. Jon Evans. “Obviously, we want folks to have a good time out here, but the most common thing that we see is hydration issues or healing heat illnesses.”

• Dress comfortably. The right attire can also go a long way in staying healthy and comfortable. Dressing for the weather can help prevent heat illnesses and being stuck in soggy clothes for hours. Tidelands Health medical tent coordinator Wendi Kobylarz also recommends wearing appropriate shoes, as many visitors complain of ailments from their footwear.