North Myrtle Beach Unveils Plans for St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

In an exciting announcement anticipated by both locals and tourists alike, the city of North Myrtle Beach has revealed plans for the 34th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. This festive event, which pulls in an upwards of 30,000 revelers each year, maintains its status as the key celebration of the luck of the Irish in the area. It is scheduled to take place whether the skies exhibit typical Irish glum or not, on the vibrant street of Main Street, from Saturday, March 16, starting at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Details and Route

The grand parade, scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m., will inaugurate the whole day affair of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Despite the parade’s commencement, Ocean Boulevard will remain open to traffic until 8:30 a.m. and is anticipated to reopen around 11:30 a.m. The parade’s route starts at 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard, it then turns right onto 1st Avenue South, going straight on Hillside Drive, and then takes a left on Main Street, finally concluding the journey at Kings Highway.

Parade Staging and Street Closures

Several streets along and near the parade route will experience temporary closures to make way for the parade. Notably, the parade setup and lineup will commence at 7 a.m. on Ocean boulevard from 2nd Avenue North all the way to 11th Avenue North.

A comprehensive list of road closures include:

Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Southbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. from 11th Avenue North to 1st Avenue South.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. from 2nd Avenue North to 1st Avenue South.
Main Street leading up to Ocean Boulevard will also be completely closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Parking and Shuttle Services

For event attendees, ample and though-out parking options have been made available. Free parking will be accessible at the corners of 1st Ave South and Ocean Boulevard, 2nd Ave North, and Ocean Boulevard. Additionally, McLean Park located at 93 Oak Drive will cater to the overflow of attendees’ vehicles. Furthermore, watching visitor’s convenience a free shuttle service will also run continuously from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM from the Ocean Drive Elementary School (901 11th Ave North, NMB).

A Day Filled with Fun and Entertainment

The festive occasion implores visitors to enjoy and partake in several events, contests, and live shows. Beyond the parade, the festival promises to be filled with 130 unique vendors ranging from mouthwatering food stalls to various arts and crafts, nonprofits, and others. For families, a Kids Area will provide numerous games and rides suitable for all age groups. Musical entertainment will be on offer from three stages throughout the event.

Among the festival highlights are two exciting contests: a leprechaun-themed competition and the gastronomically fun shepherd’s pie eating contest – offering a delicious twist to the annual celebration.

Performance Schedule

Live musical performances will be sure to entertain attendees with a variety of genres and performers. The lineup includes Clover’s Revenge, the Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Triple Toe Cloggers, Ryan Perry, Coastal Carolina Shields Pipe & Drums, Rivermist, and the ACE Party Band, giving an eclectic array of entertainment options one expects from such a colorful event.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival in North Myrtle Beach is ready to celebrate the best of Irish culture, in a way that is uniquely South Carolinian. With an exciting lineup of performers, a variety of contests, and an inclusive range of vendors, there’s something for everyone.