Issue 36, June 15, 1997
Myrtle Beach's two biker weekends in May have come and gone, with considerably different after-effects. The area was well prepared for the Harley-Davidson weekend earlier in May. There was considerable law enforcement present and numerous planned activities for the bikers, and little trouble was reported.
The predominantly black Biker Fest held on Memorial Day prompted numerous complaints from locals and merchants. For years this was a small gathering at Atlantic Beach. In just the last few years it has ballooned to tens of thousands of attendees, and has outgrown the little four block Atlantic Beach area. Officials were not prepared for the numbers of people congregating around the Pavilion area, and there were reports of fights, public urination and nudity and even sex, and open drug use. As in recent years the poor road access to Atlantic Beach caused major traffic tie-ups on U.S. 17 from Restaurant Row north.
One Myrtle Beach councilman wanted to possibly ban the festivals, but instead officials will next year try some of the same things that worked so well for the Harley weekend: beefed up law enforcement and planned events. There is even some consideration being given to having the National Guard present next year. Everyone realizes that how this is handled is crucial. Even though most of the problems did occur during the black weekend, it would be very easy for official comments to be misconstrued as racist, particularly if the (usually shallow) national media picked up the story. Obviously the huge majority of the black bikers were well behaved and only a few were causing the problems.
One suggestion that would help tremendously is to move the black biker weekend to earlier in the year. Memorial Day is going to be a busy weekend anyway, and having the bikers in town at the same time is causing the traffic problems. Unfortunately the town leaders of Atlantic Beach refuse to consider this.
Similar festivals have been well controlled in other cities recently, and everyone is hopeful that next year conditions will be much better. My own advise on this is to pick another time to visit the strand besides Memorial Day until these problems are resolved.
The outdoor sculpture exhibit Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet begins its summer schedule June 14. There are creek tours at 5:30 and 7:30 each evening (cost $6 adults, $3 children) and free guided tours at 7 and 8. Call 803-237-4218.
Longtime visitors will remember Coast magazine, which for years was the dominant free beach publication along the strand. It disappeared about a decade ago, but now a different organization is publishing a new version. The name (and typography design of the name) are the same as the old publication, but otherwise bears little resemblance to the former version. It is printed on newsprint and is more of an activities newspaper than a glossy magazine.
Recent additions to Barefoot Landing include Animal Crackers, a delightful little offbeat gift shop, Brookstone Gifts and Joe's Crab Shack. All three are members of chains that you may have visited in other metro areas. The Boston Market roasted chicken franchise will be opening a location at 21st Avenue N. in Myrtle Beach.
I recently spent an entire week (not just a weekend) along the Grand Strand and had a chance to sample many of the attractions and restaurants that I've been writing about recently. As far as the numerous themed restaurants go, the House of Blues definitely has the best food. I enjoyed the best Louisiana-style food I have ever had outside of that state. The crawfish etoufee was delicious (made with fresh crawfish, which is critical), and the rest of the menu, featuring much 'Southern' or 'soul' food, is excellent, too. The All-Star Cafe was fun to visit, as most of these restaurants are, but the House of Blues will be getting my repeat business. One thing I've noticed is they all have really overpriced hamburgers ($7 - $10). My advise is to order something else; you'll get more for your money.
Unfortunately the Mad Boer brewpub, which I had raved about previously, is under new management and is not as good as it was. The food is still tasty, but the portions are much smaller and they no longer have a no smoking section. They seem to be concentrating more on their beer now and less on the food.
One of the Thorny's steakhouses, home of excellent ribs, is closed. The location in southern Myrtle Beach is still open. Cowboy's, a country music nightclub in North Myrtle Beach with a checkered history, is closed. The aquarium opening has been delayed a bit by the weather.
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