photo by flickr user eddiecoyote
We're on the cusp of a three-day weekend, celebrating the men and women who fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate price. It's time to pay homage and enjoy the official start to the Grand Strand's tourist season.
The Military Appreciation Days 5k Run/Walk will be on Saturday, May 26, 2012 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The race starts and ends at Plyler Park in downtown Myrtle Beach. You can see the full course map here and register online here. The race is free to all active duty, veterans, and reserves. The cost is $20 for civilians.
The Dirty Myrtle Mud Run will be on Saturday, May 26, 2012 and is a three-mile mud run with approximately 20 obstacles in the Waterbridge community in Carolina Forest. Participants can run individually or as part of a team. There will also be a one-mile version for children. The event starts at 9 a.m. For more information, including the schedule of events and registration information, check out their site.
The Myrtle Beach Mayfest Memorial Day parade will be on Saturday, May 26, 2012 beginning at 10 a.m. at 27th Avenue N. and continuing south to 9th Avenue N. The Grand Marshal is Major General Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the head of the Military Department of the state of South Carolina. You can read more about the parade and Major General Robert E. Livingston, Jr. here.
As part of Military Appreciation Days, there will be a post-parade family picnic at the old Pavilion site. From noon to 3 p.m. there will be music, kids activities, and military exhibits. Lunch is free for all all active duty service men and women, as well as those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the National Guard and Reserve, $4 for all other veterans, military spouses and children, and $6 for the general public. You can read more here.
The City of Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand Patriotic Alliance will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Convention Center Plaza.
The Town of Surfside Beach will hold their annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. It will be in Fuller Park at the Veterans Memorial. You can contact Debbie Ellis at (843) 650-9548.
The closing ceremony for Military Appreciate Days will be on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 5 p.m. at Valor Memorial Garden in the Market Common.
As we learn about more events this weekend, we'll add them.
Thank you to all of those serving or have served our country. We appreciate you.