News Summary
The annual Dragon Boat Festival in Myrtle Beach took a poignant turn as families and friends gathered to honor the late Mica Miller. The event highlighted her legacy through team ‘Mica’s Waymakers’, who celebrated their love for her with spirited races, laughter, and a commitment to raise funds for local charities. Mica’s passing prompted her family to advocate for ‘Mica’s Law’ to address coercive control issues. The festival showcased the essence of connection and community, underscoring how love transcends loss.
Heartfelt Tribute at Myrtle Beach Dragon Boat Festival
Myrtle Beach brought waves of emotion and camaraderie to its annual Dragon Boat Festival on April 26, 2025. Families, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate the life of a beloved sister, Mica Miller, through a spirited event held in The Market Common area.
Honoring Mica with Love and Laughter
This year, the event took on a special significance as Mica’s family and friends rallied together to form the Mica’s Waymakers team. Dressed in matching purple shirts, the team honored Mica, who had a remarkable personality that radiated positivity wherever she went. The team’s drummer, Anna Francis, donned a vibrant Wonder Woman costume, paying homage to her sister’s favorite superhero and embodying the spirit of strength and resilience that Mica represented.
Racing for a Cause
The Dragon Boat Festival is not just about competition; it’s a celebration that aims to raise funds for local charities, particularly Ground Zero, a nonprofit youth ministry based in Myrtle Beach. Although Mica’s Waymakers participated in two heats during the festival, they faced tough competition and didn’t take home any victories. They secured a third-place finish in their first heat but placed last in the final race. However, the true victory lay in the hearts of the participants and onlookers who shared in Mica’s rich legacy.
Keeping Mica’s Spirit Alive
A touching garden flag featuring a photo of Mica decorated the event, a reminder of the love and spirit she brought to everyone she met. The team and supporters gathered for a group photo, showcasing their love for Mica. Throughout the festival, a photo board displayed vibrant images of Mica in her Wonder Woman outfit, sparking joy and nostalgia among those who remembered her infectious laughter and kind heart.
Advocating for Change
Mica’s passing on April 27, 2024, was a heartbreaking event that left her family grappling with the reality of losing a vibrant soul. Following her struggles with coercive control in her marriage, the family has transformed their grief into a mission for change. They are advocating for “Mica’s Law”, which aims to address coercive control issues, helping to protect others from similar circumstances. Senator Stephen Goldfinch has taken notice, introducing legislation that sheds light on Mica’s struggles and aims to enact meaningful change.
Spreading Love and Positivity
Beyond the races and the commemorative festivities, Mica’s Waymakers are also focused on uplifting others by raising funds for various local charities and World Vision. The love and positivity Mica embodied are being channeled into helping others in need, creating something beautiful out of tragedy.
A Journey of Reflection
As the team paddled together, they reflected on their grief and how Mica still lives on in each of them. Destinee Barrientos, Mica’s sister, shared how family members see aspects of Mica in themselves, creating a sense of connection as they navigate through their loss.
Creating Meaning from Grief
The Dragon Boat Festival may be a day of racing and revelry, but for Mica’s Waymakers and their supporters, it is also a day of deep connection and shared purpose. The event was filled with laughter, tears, and unbreakable bonds, reminding everyone that even in the face of loss, love remains a powerful force.
As the festival concluded, spirits were high, and the memory of Mica continued to live on, forever inspiring those who knew her to spread joy and fight for a better world.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Myrtle Beach Events
- WMBF News: 16th Annual Dragon Boat Festival
- Horry News: Annual Dragon Boat Festival
- Wikipedia: Dragon Boat Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dragon Boat Racing
