North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshals Announced

The Grand Marshals for the 2017 North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade are USA Olympian Amber Campbell and former Coastal Carolina University (CCU) Coach Alan Connie.  Coach Connie was Amber's Head Coach while she attended Coastal Carolina University.

Amber, a resident of Myrtle Beach, is one of the top track and field athletes in the world, competing in the hammer throw. A three-time USA Olympian (2008, 2012 and 2016), she has also represented Team USA at five Outdoor World Track and Field Championships (2005,2009,2011, 2013 and 2015).  At the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, her sixth place finish was the highest finish ever by a USA Olympian in the hammer throw, and her throw was the best ever by a USA Olympian in the hammer. She is a 12-time USA National Champion and twice has set USA Olympic Trial records with her championship throws in 2012 and 2016.

At CCU, Amber was a five-time NCAA Division 1 All American, and graduated as the all-time American Collegiate Record Holder.

Coach Connie began his coaching career in 1979 at North Myrtle Beach High School. His boys cross country teams and girls track teams won four South Carolina State Championships, and had three state runner-up finishes in his eight years of coaching at the high school. His girls track and field teams had a combined record of 169 wins, one loss and two ties over eight years.  

In his 28 years as the head women's cross country and track and field coach at CCU, Coach Connie's teams won 28 Big South Conference Championships, and he was named Big South Conference Coach of the Year 33 times in the two sports. He coached 12 All Americans and was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Decade twice in women's cross country for the 1990s and 2000s. He was also named Big South Conference Coach of the Decade for women's indoor track and field for the 2000s and for women's outdoor track and field for the 2000s.  

Amber and Coach Connie have been inducted into the Coastal Carolina University Hall of Fame and the Big South Conference Hall of Fame.

North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board Announces Tree of the Month Award for March

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has provided its Tree of the Month Award for March to Jack Jones II for the preservation and care he has provided to a large Loblolly Pine located at 405 22nd Avenue South.

 

The loblolly pine is an important American timber tree that is also cloaked in beauty during much of the year.

 

With a natural range reaching across the southeastern United States, this pine tree is distinguished by its large, columnar trunk; attractive bark in broad, reddish-brown plates; and its pale green needles.

 

As one of the fastest growing southern pines, it is used for a quick screen in many landscapes.

Results: March 6 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

During the March 6 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, City Council issued a Proclamation recognizing March as Red Cross Month in North Myrtle Beach. The Proclamation was presented by City Councilman Bob Cavanaugh to Red Cross Board Member Jerry Tekac. Councilman Cavanaugh presided over the meeting in the absence of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, who were out of town.

Councilman Cavanaugh said that North Myrtle Beach has a long history of helping those in need, and American Red Cross Month offers a special time in which to recognize and thank American Red Cross “heroes,” who give of their time and resources to help members of the community.

American Red Cross heroes help families find shelter after a home fire, and give blood to help trauma victims and cancer patients. They deliver comfort items to members of the military who are in the hospital, and they use their lifesaving skills to save people experiencing a heart attack, drowning or choking. They also enable children around the world to be vaccinated against measles and rubella.

The American Red Cross depends upon its heroes to deliver help and hope during disasters, and the City of North Myrtle Beach applauds them. It has dedicated the month of March to encouraging its citizens and visitors to support the American Red Cross and its noble humanitarian mission.

 

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance to amend section 5-24 of the City's Code of Ordinance titled, “Placing Obstructions on the Beach”, to establish the dimensions of authorized "baby tents".

That part of the ordinance that regulates the placement of shading devices on the beach now reads:  "Placement of shading devices on the beach from May 15 through September 15: Other than umbrellas with a center pole no greater than 7 feet, 6 inches in height and with a circular shade no greater than 9 feet in diameter, and shading devices no larger than 36 inches in height by 36 inches in width and 36 inches in depth used to provide shade to persons 18 months of age or younger, all shading devices, including but not limited to tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas or devices similar to sports-brellas, or any material mounted on supports are prohibited from being placed on the beach from May 15 through September 15. An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a center pole without grounding lines or ropes."

The dimensions for baby tents were changed because previously established measurements pertained to a type of baby tent that is no longer commonly available.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance toamend the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District (PDD) concerning the Dye Estates (MJPDD- 16-04).

The proposed ordinance had been delayed until the applicant, Coastal Resort Holdings, had received approval from the Dye Estates HOA for its proposed site plan. Assurances were provided to the city attorney that the board of directors for the Dye Estates HOA had approved the proposed site plans, which paved the way for the introduction of the proposed amendment for first reading. 

The revised PDD documents provided to City Council address the current status of the proposal:

• Approval by the Dye Estates HOA.
• 29 approved single-family detached dwelling units versus 5l proposed single-family attached townhome dwelling units.
• Reducing access points along Gray Heron Drive to four driveways.
• No building is closer than 15 feet to the property line.
• The orientation of townhomes has been adjusted to reduce garage door exposure outside of the development.
• A minimum 4-foot earthen berm with plantings will be added to both sides of Gray Heron Drive.
• A secondary control gate is reflected on the site plan.
• Building materials and colored renderings of townhomes has been provided.

Additionally, the applicant, Coastal Resort Holdings, has indicated it intends to prohibit short-term rentals and parking along Gray Heron Drive by deed.

City Council approved a special event permit for the Society of Stranders’ 2017 SOS Spring Safari Parade to be held April 29, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The parade will start and end on Main Street.

 

City Council approved a special event permit forCoastal Adaptive Sports and the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center’s Wheel to Surf, an adaptive surfing event for people with disabilities to enjoy the beach and surfing. The event will be held May 14, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., on the beach at 21st Avenue South.

29th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival - March 11 on Main Street

The 29th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival will be held March 11 on Main Street. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and the festival will be held 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The one-day rain or shine event attracts more than 30,000 people annually.

The festival offers 150-plus food, arts and crafts, nonprofit, and other vendors.

The North Strand Optimist Club organizes the parade, and all entry fees go back into helping the youth of our community.

Alan Connie and Amber Campbell have been selected as Grand Marshals for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Separate release will highlight their accomplishments.)



The St. Patrick’s Day Festival offers three entertainment stages. The current entertainment lineup is as follows:

Community Stage - Main Street & Oak Drive:

11:15 AM:  Triple Toe Cloggers

11:45 AM: Parade Awards

12:15 PM:  Conway Celtic Pipers

12:30 PM: Academy of Dance and Fine Arts

1:00 PM: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipe & Drums

1:15 PM: North Myrtle Beach School of Performing Arts

2:15 PM – 4:00:  Caroline Dare Band

Main Stage - Near Flynn’s Irish Tavern:

11:00 AM: Band on the Rum

11:45 AM: Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes & Drums

12:00 PM:  Band on the Rum

12:45 PM: Wake & District Public Safety Pipes & Drums

1:00 PM: Barleyjuice

2:15 PM: Leprechaun Contest

2:30 PM:    Shepard’s Pie Eating Contest

2:45 PM:   Barleyjuice

Green Stage - Near Duffy’s Seafood Shack

11:00: Miracle Max and the Pet Monsters

1:45 PM – 4:00 PM:  Bantum Rooster



Two contests are also part of this year’s festival:

29th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival Leprechaun Contest

Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Leprechaun Contest. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy. Participants must be 18 years or older, must register, must be dressed in a leprechaun/Irish-themed costume, and must grant permission to the City of North Myrtle Beach to publish photos for promotion and sign a release of liability. The contest is open to the general public and no purchase is necessary to participate.

Contestants must register at the Main Stage at Flynn's Irish Tavern before 2:00 p.m. Preregistration is also available at the Festival Information Booth (corner of Hillside Drive and Main Street) before 1:30 p.m. Meet at the stairs of the Main Stage at 2:00 p.m. Contest begins at 2:15 p.m.

29th Annual St. Patrick's Day Shepherd's Pie Eating Contest

First to clear their plate without using their hands wins bragging rights and a stylish plaque. Register at the Main Stage at Flynn’s Irish Tavern before 2:00 p.m. Preregistration is also available at the Festival Information Booth, corner of Hillside Drive and Main Street before 1:30 p.m. Meet at the stairs of the Main Stage on festival site at 2:15 p.m. Contest begins at 2:30 p.m. 



EVENT PARKING: 

Parade & Festival Parking:

Spectators gathering to watch the parade should be in place by 8:20 a.m.  Main Street will close to vehicular traffic promptly at 8:30 a.m.  The parade will begin at 8:50 a.m.
Ocean Boulevard will be open to vehicular traffic until 8:30 a.m. and is expected reopen around 11:30 a.m., immediately following the parade.  Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Blvd. will remain closed after the parade and become the festival area.

On-site Public Parking:

Open Grass Lot between Barefoot Church and BB&T: 601 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

McLean Park: 93 Oak Drive, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Grass lot on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Blvd.; 200 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Off-site Parking/Pick-ups

Buses will run continuously from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Coming from Little River on Hwy 17:

Ocean Drive Elementary School – 901 11th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Corner of 8th Avenue North & Ocean Blvd.

Corner of 12th Avenue North & Ocean Blvd.

Corner of 14th Avenue North & Ocean Blvd.

Corner of 17th Avenue North & Ocean Blvd.

Coming from Hwy 31 via Robert Edge Parkway:

Ocean Drive Elementary School- 901 11th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

*Buses provided are not wheelchair accessible. Please use the provided Handicap parking areas for wheelchair accessible parking.

Handicap Parking

Open Grass Lot between Barefoot Church and BB&T: 601 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
WDPE TV 15 is the Media Sponsor. Easy 105.9 is the Radio Sponsor. The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Presenting Sponsor.

Police Officer Donald Keith Williams Earns City's 2016 Safety Employee Of The Year Award

On February 21, Police Officer Donald Keith Williams was presented with the City's 2016 Safety Employee of the Year Award.

His nomination for the award documented how, immediately following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through North Myrtle Beach, he took the initiative and asked his supervisors to allow him to work closely with the Street Division to deploy four-way stop signs at major intersections throughout the city where traffic signals had failed. This action prevented many vehicle accidents and it also allowed Police Officers stationed at the intersections to return to normal patrol duties.
On another occasion Officer Williams used his experience and skills to assist a wrecker service struggling to remove a heavily damaged vehicle from a dangerous situation. When Officer Williams arrived on scene, he recognized several safety issues and stepped in to assist. With his help the vehicle was safely recovered in about 15 minutes.

We congratulate Officer Williams on receiving this award, and we thank him for his commitment and innovation in always seeking "Safety First" for himself, his co-workers, and the public.
Left to right in the accompanying photo are City Safety Specialist Joe Turner, Police Officer Donald Keith Williams, and Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez.

Community Blood Drive Feb. 24

Did you know that 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives?

Please join CENTURY 21® Thomas, Thomas Beach Vacations and Boulineau’s Food Plus on Friday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at a community Blood Drive. The event will be held at CENTURY 21 Thomas, 625 Sea Mountain Highway in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach.

Please schedule your appointment in advance by going to www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor: CENTURY 21 Thomas) or call 800-733-2767. Let’s continue to build North Myrtle Beach and save lives as we support the American Red Cross!

City Close to Completing Removal of Damaged Sand Fencing Posts From its 9 Miles of Beach

When the last beach renourishment project was accomplished along the City's nine miles of beach, sand fencing was installed along the completed project. The fencing helps keep people off the dunes and it also plays a role in catching and retaining sand for the dunes.

Hurricane Matthew destroyed or severely damaged a lot of the sand fencing. Crews have been removing the fence posts and are nearing the end of that work. New sand fencing will be installed when the next beach renourishment project has been completed. The fencing sits on the dune structure.

City officials have been working hard toward the next beach renourishment effort. The Army Corps of Engineer's Design is 95% complete, and the Mayor and City Council have met with the City Manager to review the proposed emergency renourishment.