The dog days of summer coincide with the Hot Summer Nights Festival in downtown Myrtle Beach. The summer-long celebration begins to wind down in the month of August, and the oceanfront party saves some of the best concerts, fireworks and fun for the final month.
Centered around Plyler Park in the heart of the 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, the Hot Summer Nights Festival has events scheduled seven nights a week from June through August, including live entertainment, awe-inspiring pyrotechnics and kid-friendly fun.
The free festival draws large crowds to the downtown district around dusk to kick off a fun night on the town or a romantic stroll down the beach. In fact, guests at the Bay View Resort are a short walk down the beach, Boulevard or Boardwalk from all the action.
The highlight of the week is brought to you by your vacation home away from home, Bay View Resort every Wednesday night. Featuring a full evening of live music and fireworks, this is the place to be on Hump Day. Catch live concerts at the main stage and then make your way to the beach for an impressive fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean. Launched from the Second Avenue Pier, Bay View guests can catch the show from the beach or their private balconies. Music begins at 7 p.m., with the fireworks starting at 10.
Kick off the week with fun for the whole family at the Boardwalk Kids Carnival. Featuring live music and entertainment geared toward children, inflatables play stations, face-painting, caricature artist, carnival-style games, and a host of roving performers, such as stilt-walkers, balloon artist and more. Sponsored by Oceanfront Bar and Grill, this event is held from 7 to 10 p.m., every Monday through August 25.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the best in local and regional bands take the “I Love Sugar” stage to perform a diverse mix of rock, country, jazz, pop, reggae and more. Among the shows scheduled for the first week of August are country music groups The Les Combs Band (Aug. 2) and The Josh Brannon Band (Aug. 5), R&B/funk outfit Nickel Bag of Funk (Aug. 7), roots rockers The Jebb Mac Ban and local funk-rockers Painted Man. Shows are from 8 to 11 p.m.
Visitors can get all shook up on Fridays and Sundays with the one and only Broadway Elvis. The Elvis Presley impersonator puts on a fun-filled show for the whole family on the main stage. The crowd sings and dances along to the familiar hits of “The King” while Broadway Elvis performs the familiar dance moves popularized by Elvis Presley. Several Broadway performers entertain the crowds during these festive nights, which get under way at 8 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.
No matter what night of the week you decide to celebrate Hot Summer Nights, it’s always a great time to check out some of Myrtle Beach’s top attractions, dining, shopping and entertainment while you’re in the downtown district. Take a spin on the 190-foot Myrtle Beach SkyWheel or spend the day and night on the thrill rides and waterslides of the Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Water Park. Indulge in excellent seafood at the Pier House Restaurant or feast on a cheeseburger and chili dog at the legendary Peaches Corner. Visit all the souvenir and T-shirt shops on The Strip or bounce along the Boulevard looking for fun and sun in all the right places.
For more information about the Hot Summer Nights Festival and for a full lineup of musical acts and other performances, visit www.myrtlebeachdowntown.com.
(posted 8/2/14)
(photo courtesy: MyrtleBeachdowntown.com)
