Issue 31, March 24, 1997

Burroughs and Chapin, the large Grand Strand company that operates the Pavilion and Broadway at the Beach, is purchasing Myrtle Waves Water Park. The attraction will eventually be tripled in size and merged with a new auto racing park the company is also building. This racing park will allow visitors to drive small cars up to 60 MPH and be built next to the NASCAR Cafe. It will open next year.

At Fantasy Harbour, the empty building that formerly housed the Euro Circus has a tenant. Splash, a water-themed show, will open in mid-May. Dancing water effects and a laser light show will be joined by synchronized swimming and various acts including a comedian and a juggler. A motorcycle daredevil act, where the cyclists maneuver around inside a steel globe, will also be included. Tickets will be $25, $10 for children.

The Clyde Beatty / Cole Brothers Circus, which is still staged in an old-fashioned tent, will be in town from March 31 to April 2. The tent will be located by Inlet Square Mall on the south strand. Showtimes are 4:30 and 7:30 and tickets are $10 - $12 with discounts for children and seniors. Call 803-449-6217.

The beach renourishment project continues in North Myrtle Beach, where the completion date should be around the first of May. It will begin in Myrtle Beach itself on April 1, and may be complete there sometime in July. The first stage will be 29th Ave. S. to 6th Ave. N. (pipe located at 19th Ave. S.). Stage 2 is 6th Ave. N. to 33rd Ave. N. (pipe at 11th Ave. N.), stage 3 is 52nd Ave. N. to 82nd Ave. N. (pipe at Haskell Circle), and finally 52nd Ave. N. to 33rd Ave. N. (pipe at 52nd Ave. N.).

WKZQ-AM has switched from its longtime frequency of 1520 to 1450 and now broadcasts day and night. 1450 was the frequency of WMYB for years until it went off the air a few years ago. Eventually WKZQ-AM will move again to 1620 in the new expanded AM band from 1610 to 1700 khz. Both WKZQ FM and AM were recently sold. The new owners plan no format changes.

A number of proposals have been made by various government agencies to improve the road situation along the strand. South Carolina's Governor Beasley, who made a campaign promise to not raise state taxes, is backing a plan that would use the new local hospitality tax, some additional federal funding, and some creative lending to build some of the more critical new roads in the area. The Conway Bypass would be constructed, although parts would be only two lanes. The north / south Carolina Bays Parkway would be built through North Myrtle Beach and Restaurant Row only, which have the most critical needs, since there is no US 17 Bypass in this area. S.C. 544 would be widened to five lanes. South Carolina's U.S. House representatives are also looking into getting more federal road funding. Currently the state receives far less in return for its gas tax contributions than any other state. Less than 60 cents per dollar of federal tax comes back to South Carolina. The next worse ratio is over 80 cents, and many states receive more than their contribution.

In shopping news, Outlet Park at Wacammaw has added Quilts and Such, La Chine Classic, and a Sunbeam store to its lineup. The new section of Broadway at the Beach to open late this spring will feature these shops: 
        Autographs Plus
        Bath and Body Works
        Earthware
        Endangered Species
        Hats, Bags, and Rags
        Iguana
        J+T Altman
        Kids Connection
        MacBirdie
        Magnolia Square
        Museum Works
        New Era Cap
        Perfumania
        Red's Original Threads
        Spencer Gifts
        Sports Heroes
        The Extra Ingredient
        The Gap, Gap Kids
        The Icing
        The Olde Soda Shoppe
        Victoria's Secret
        Yankee Candle


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