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The 35th annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival March 15, 2025. (Jennifer Abney/WPDE)

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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Today marks the 35th annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, and we're giving you all the info you need to make it count!

The North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Festival from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The day kicks off with a two-hour parade followed by a festival with over 100 vendors, food trucks and three stages with live entertainment.

"With it starting at 9 a.m. and thousands of people coming in, there is so much to do. Everybody is wearing their green, everybody is in the spirit; it is a true festive affair," Angel Sylvester, the festival organizer, said.

WATCH LIVE

For those who can’t make the parade in person, the ABC15 team will provide live coverage of the parade on all of our channels. It will also be broadcast LIVE on CW21.

WEBSITE: To watch the parade live on our site, click HERE.

APP: To download the WPDE app and watch the coverage on your mobile device, click HERE.

PARADE ROUTE

The parade route and direction will be the same as in 2024, starting on Ocean Boulevard and ending at Ye Olde Kings Hwy.

The parade will begin on Ocean Boulevard at 2nd Ave North and proceed south to 1st Avenue South. At the intersection of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard the parade turns right onto 1st Avenue South, then right onto Hillside Drive, then left onto Main Street, and traveling on Main Street to Ye Olde Kings Highway to conclude the parade route.

Parade spectators should be sure to set up by 8:30 a.m. with your friends, family, beach chairs, blankets and golf carts.

The parade staging and line-up will occur at 7:00 a.m. on Ocean Boulevard from 2nd Ave North to 11th Ave North. Southbound lanes on Ocean Boulevard from 11th Ave North to 1st Ave South will be closed to traffic from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. From 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. the closure will include both southbound and northbound lanes from 2nd Ave North to 1st Ave South.

An emcee announcing parade participants will be stationed at the entrance of the Horseshoe. Judges will also be stationed at the Horseshoe to vote for their “Best” parade entries.

WPDE personalities, Ed Piotrowski, Connor Ingalls and Jennifer Abney, will be announcing the parade at the Community Stage located at Main Street and N. Oak Drive.

THE FESTIVAL

Following the parade, festival activities will continue until 4 p.m. Expect Irish Pipe Bands, Irish Dancers, and many more live performances.

Over 120 vendors will display their crafts. Food vendors and Main Street businesses will have a variety of Irish treats and festival food favorites for everyone to enjoy.

Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 35th Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival Leprechaun Contest. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy. Sign up at the information booth or the Irish Stage before 2:00 pm. The contest will be at the Irish stage at 2:30 pm.

There will also be a Shepard's Pie Eating Contest! The first to clear their plate (without using their hands) wins an awesome plaque and gift card. Sign up at the information booth or the Irish stage before 2:00 p.m. The contest will be on the Irish stage at 2:30 p.m.

PERFORMERS: WHEN AND WHERE

Irish Stage | Sponsored by Flynn's Irish Tavern (located across from Flynn's Irish Tavern)

11am-12pm Brendan O'Connor

12pm Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes and Drums

12:30-1:15 Brendan O'Connor

1:30 Leprechaun Contest / Shepherd’s Pie Eating Contest

2pm - 4pm Paulie O' Grimshaw Band

Community Stage | Sponsored by HTC (located at N. Oak Drive)

11am-1130am Triple Toe Cloggers

11:30am Parade Awards

12pm-1:30pm King Tide

1:30pm Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes and Drums

2pm - 4pm City Lights

Ocean Stage | Sponsored by Chick-fil-A (located near Ocean Blvd.)

11am-1pm Wake Up Call

1pm-2pm Conway Celtic Pipers

2pm-4pm Tru Sol

YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Are you attending the event in person? We want to see all your great content!

Submit your photos and videos HERE for the chance to be featured on our website or in our newscast!

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

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Spring has sprung, and the Myrtle Beach tourist season is fast approaching. From beaches and marshes to golf and arcades, the Grand Strand offers something for everyone.

For those caught between childhood and adulthood visiting Myrtle Beach, these local tips can help teenagers and their families make the trip a memorable one.. Here’s what teens and their parents should know about navigating a Myrtle Beach vacation.

Teens over the age of 16 with a valid driver’s license can operate golf carts on public roads in South Carolina, but companies in the Myrtle Beach area typically require customers to be at least 18 or 21 years of age to rent and drive a golf cart.

Folks planning to drive a golf cart around the Grand Strand should make sure to carry a driver’s license, stay on permitted roads and follow all local laws.

Coast RTA also offers public transportation around the Grand Strand. Buses run routes around Horry and Georgetown counties for $1 a ride, and the system caps daily costs for riders using smartphone mobile wallets, or contactless credit or debt cards, at $3.50.

During the summer season, Coast RTA also runs two free Entertainment Express shuttles.

The Myrtle Beach route runs in the downtown area with stops around the Boardwalk and Promenade, Broadway at the Beach, Pelicans Ballpark and more. In North Myrtle Beach, the shuttle route runs from Barefoot Landing to Cherry Grove, with stops like New Wave Watersports and Boulineau’s.

For families with teenagers that don’t feel like untangling a transportation plan, the Myrtle Beach area features attractions big enough to give kids and parents some breathing room.

The Market Common on the south end of Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade downtown, Broadway at the Beach off of Highway 17 and Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach each offer opportunities to shop, dine and play.

If the weather’s nice, the fields and parks around the Market Common are great for outdoor fun, and indoors visitors can check out bowling, movies and an escape room.

Situated on the shore downtown, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade is home to classic arcades, Ripley’s attractions like Crazy Golf and Believe it or Not!, souvenir shops and the SkyWheel, just steps from the beach and volleyball sand courts at Plyler Park.

Nearby, Broadway at the Beach also offers an indoor escape room, as well as a mirror maze, Ripley’s Aquarium and laser tag at WonderWorks. Outside, Broadway at the Beach features amusement park rides at Pavillion Park, boat rides in Lake Broadway, mini-golf at PopStroke, a ropes course with a zip line and more.

At Barefoot Landing, visitors can explore another ropes course, hop on seasonal rides, play arcade games and get wild at Alligator Adventure, a reptile-focused zoo just next door.

In the city of Myrtle Beach, midnight to 6 a.m. are minor curfew hours. During that time, it’s a misdemeanor for minors without a guardian to remain in public places, including the beach.

Parents and guardians can get in trouble too, as it’s a misdemeanor to knowingly allow an unaccompanied minor to be in a public place during the curfew hours.

The Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances carves out certain exceptions for reasons like employment activities, school events, exercising First Amendment rights and legal emancipation, but in general minors can’t be out past midnight without supervision.

The Coastal Grand Mall also exercises age restrictions at certain times. On Fridays and Saturdays after 4 p.m., the mall requires visitors under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older. The adult can supervise up to three minors, but must be the parent or guardian of at least one of the youths.

Coastal Grand’s policy doesn’t apply to stores with exterior entrances, like the Cinemark theater and Stars and Strikes.

Outside of curfew hours, there’s no minimum age requirement for unaccompanied minors at public beaches in the city of Myrtle Beach or Horry County.

However, parents and guardians are responsible for minors’ safety and behavior, and if an unattended minor is hurt, the law will get involved.

For beachgoers of all ages planning to enjoy the water, it’s best to bring company. Experts say it’s never a good idea to swim alone, but children are especially vulnerable.

Gone are the days of under-21 clubs in Myrtle Beach, but there are other teen-friendly options in the area.

Mini-golf is a staple around the Grand Strand, with dozens of spots featuring immersive themes and courses that range from breezy to challenging, many of which stay open as late as 10 p.m.

Live music is another option for enjoying Myrtle Beach after dark. House of Blues at Broadway at the Beach allows kids over the age of 13 to attend shows without adult supervision — but some events have age restrictions, so it’s a good idea to double-check before purchasing tickets.

The Hangout, another Broadway at the Beach spot, and Barefoot Landing favorite Crooked Hammock Brewery both regularly offer free live music performances. The restaurants are family-friendly for all ages.

Depending on the time of year, visitors might catch seasonal and holiday events like street performances and fireworks displays at Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. Both maintain calendars of upcoming events available online.

MS

The Sun News

703-944-4132

Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.

Sometime within the next month a new brood of cicadas will emerge from the ground in 14 eastern states including South Carolina.

But don’t expect it to be anything like last year when many South Carolinians could just step into their backyards and see — and hear — a swarming mass of insects.

Brood XIV, which comes out every 17 years, likely will only be in the northwestern tip of Oconee County, said Eric Benson, Clemson University professor emeritus and extension entomologist.

“Most of the activity will probably be in Tennessee and Kentucky, so this brood will not be seen in most of South Carolina,” he said.

Last year, the Great Southern Brood of cicadas emerged after 13 years, crawling up trees, molting and leaving their outer skins hanging. Once the adults are done mating, the females lay their eggs in tree limbs, which split, turn brown and die. Cicadas also lay eggs in bushes, which can cause them to die as well.

But it was the sound that caught most people’s attention and turned the invasion into a lesson for school children.

The brood sounded like a lawnmower thrumming through the night. Cicadas are among the loudest animals in the world, despite their size.

The sound is actually a click but it’s made so rapidly it sounds like a hum.

It’s meaning? It’s the males looking for a mate.

There are seven species of periodical cicadas, four with 13-year life cycles and three with 17-year cycles, according to the University of Connecticut’s cicada information website.

Brood XIV is among the largest of all 17-year cicadas.

They live underground, sucking root fluids and growing from the size of a small ant to nearly the size of an adult, the University of Connecticut said. Scientists don’t know how the creatures keep track of the years, but at some point their eyes become red and they begin digging tunnels to get out.

Soil temperature determines when they crawl out, usually after sunset.

“What makes periodical cicadas unusual is the combination of long life cycles, mass emergences, and periodicity, such that the vast majority of individuals in a population emerge on the same schedule and after a set number of years, UConn said.

It’s expected the cycle from emergence to the old generation dying off to the new going back underground will be about six weeks.

Benson said cicadas are an important piece of the ecosystem and a sign of health. They’re also a source of food for a variety of animals and their carcasses release nutrients into the soil.

They don’t carry disease and are not harmful to humans or pets.

Besides South Carolina, states expecting Brood XIV this year include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Thousands of residents and visitors are expected in North Myrtle Beach this weekend for the city’s 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival.

Here’s what to know about the big tradition:

WHEN DOES IT START?

The event takes place Saturday along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. The parade starts at 9 a.m., while the festival will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

WHAT ABOUT PARKING?

The city is offering free event parking at the following locations:

The city will also provide a free shuttle service from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. going from Ocean Drive Elementary School (901 11th Avenue North) to the festival site.

WHAT ABOUT TRAFFIC?

The city is set to enact the following closures on the day of the event:

WHERE’S THE PARADE ROUTE?

The route starts at 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard and will then turn right onto 1st Avenue South, right on Hillside Drive, left onto Main Street before needing on Ye Old Kings Highway.

An emcee announcing the participants and parade judges will also be stationed at the Horseshoe.

WHAT TO DO AT THE FESTIVAL

According to the city, the festival will feature 130 vendors including food, nonprofits, arts and crafts among other specialties. The festival will also include a kids area with games and rides for all ages.

There will also be a Leprechaun and Jr. Leprechaun contests as well as a shepherd’s pie eating contest.

MUSIC LINEUP

The festival will also include several musical acts across three stages:

Irish Stage sponsored by Flynn’s Irish Tavern

11 a.m.: Brendan O’Connor

Noon: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes & Drums

12:30 p.m.: Brendan O’Connor

1:30 p.m.: Leprechaun Contest / Sheperd’s Pie Eating Contest

2 p.m.: Paulie O’ Grimshaw Band

Community Stage sponsored by HTC

11 a.m.: Triple Toe Cloggers

11:30 a.m.: Parade Awards

Noon: King Tide

1:30 p.m.: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipe & Drums

2 p.m.: City Lights

Ocean Stage sponsored by Chick-Fil-A NMB

11 a.m.: Wake Up Call

1 p.m.: Conway Celtic Pipers

2 p.m.: Tru Sol

Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.

After the project had been tabled, workshopped and discussed at length by developers and North Myrtle Beach city council, The Preserve is still a hot topic months after it originally came before leaders and years since the land was purchased.

At a special called city council meeting Monday, March 10, disagreements between a representative for the developers and council members seemed to boil over. Council member Fred Coyne said he didn’t like the way Josh Hughes of Longleaf Real Estate referred to city staff during the workshop meeting.

“That is one thing I’ve had about as much as I can personally take on that,” Coyne said. “That’s not something I typically get upset about, but you’re pushing me.”

Originally proposed as an 826-unit, three-phase project, the density of The Preserve has decreased as the project has progressed through steps for city approval.

Now with 609 proposed units, an amendment to the development agreement was approved on first reading at the special called city council meeting. But not without council voicing its displeasure of the project, with Coyne saying developers need to “take an eraser to this whole site and start over again.”

The project was originally scheduled to appear before city council on second reading Monday, March 17, but the ordinances have a note on the agenda saying staff has requested to postpone the reading.

The disagreements seem to hinge on how the project has morphed after feedback from the city’s planning commission. Council members expressed opposition to a large reduction in green space that was shown in original plans. Coyne said “this is nothing in comparison to the original community that we approved.”

Hughes said there is still the same amount of green space but that it has been shifted to more areas, and that the changes were made after hearing feedback from Planning Commission. He said members of the commission were opposed to one-car garages in some of the units and wanted a “jog” in a street leading to the community to reduce speed. The original plans also had a commercial component to the development, which was later removed after a member of the commission who had insisted on the commercial component left. With those changes, the plans shifted, Hughes said.

“What we did was add a row of units there, put a jog in, and I think it lays out much better. I think the recommendations were good, so I’m surprised to be here to hear this,” Hughes said. “I think this lays out much better with the jog in the street. So I’m surprised that we’ve been kind of working toward this to hear these changes. I understand visually the green space looks smaller, but it is still substantial, and count-wise is no smaller than what was proposed on a percentage basis.”

News

The Planning Commission is a volunteer board appointed by and makes recommendations to city council. But city council doesn’t always follow those recommendations, nor does it have to, including a recent example of a development bordering the Barefoot Resort community. Some community members launched a petition hoping to overturn that development, with one of the criticisms being that council didn’t follow the planning commission’s recommendation to deny the project.

The Preserve project was set to appear back in front of city council Monday, March 17.

“I want to see this project,” mayor Marilyn Hatley said. “We’re not beating up on you. I know you feel like you are because you’ve been here over and over and over. I guess that’s your job. It’s not always pleasant, is it? But I do want to work with you. I know [council member Nikki] Fontana wants to really make this project happen, and I’ve heard from others that they do too. But we can’t do it as submitted.”