This summer is going to be a blast in Myrtle Beach – in more ways than one. In addition to all the fun attractions, tasty restaurants and tantalizing shops on the Grand Strand, the skies will light up all summer long with colorful fireworks displays at hot spots up and down the 60-mile stretch of coastline.
The summer-long pyrotechnics celebration gets under way Saturday, May 23, at Broadway at the Beach. Scheduled to start once the sun goes down and the sky is good and dark at 10 p.m., this weekly fireworks display (twice weekly once the summer is in full swing) attracts large crowds to the multi-purpose complex to see the professional pyrotechnics shows light up the skies over Lake Broadway.
Beat the rush and go early for a nice dinner at one of the many restaurants and some bargain hunting at the abundance of shops, then grab a good spot on the boardwalk railing that overlooks the lake. The first boom sends an initial shock over the crowd, followed by the awe of brilliant, exploding colors reflecting off the water. After the show, set off some social fireworks of your own at the bars of Celebrity Square, the highlight of the nightlife scene in Myrtle Beach.
Can’t make it to Myrtle Beach for the inaugural Fireworks Extravaganza? No problem. Shortly after the season opener, nearly every summer night features a free fireworks show somewhere on the Grand Strand. Here’s the summer schedule:
Barefoot Landing: This North Myrtle Beach entertainment, shopping and dining complex lights the fuse on fireworks every Monday night throughout the summer. Beginning with a foot parade around the boardwalk led by stilt-walkers, magicians and mimes, Barefoot Landing fireworks show begins at 10:15 p.m. over the lake. Scheduled dates of the fireworks shows are from June 1 through August 31, followed by a special Labor Day weekend show on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Broadway at the Beach: On Tuesday nights, the pyrotechnics are launched at 10 p.m. at Broadway at the Beach. Dates of the fireworks shows are from June 2 through August 25. Broadway adds Friday nights to the lineup at midsummer, from June 19 through August 14, with a special Labor Day weekend season finale on Sept. 5.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk: Hit the downtown district for a night of fun and fireworks at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The 1.2-mile wooden walkway offers spectacular views of fireworks being launched from Pier 14 and exploding over the ocean. Hit the many downtown attractions, shops, restaurants and bars and catch a free concert in Plyler Park before the pyrotechnics take center stage. All shows start at 10 p.m. and will be held every Wednesday from June 3 through Sept. 1.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans: The Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs bring minor-league talent and major-league fireworks shows to the plate, featuring 19 postgame pyrotechnics displays this season. The show is free with paid admission and starts 15 minutes after the end of the game, usually about 10 p.m. The 2015 schedule includes May 24, June 7, 14 and 21, July 2, 3, 7, 9, 12, 19, 26, and 30, and August 6, 9, 16 and 30.
Murrells Inlet Marshwalk: Bad news for fireworks fans on the south side of the Strand. Concerns over the environmental impact that past shows could have on the inlet, the town has opted not to have weekly displays this summer as in past years. However, the big Fourth of July Boat Parade is still set for Independence Day, followed by a patriotic pyrotechnics display.
(Posted: 4/28/15)