Summer Days and Giveaways: 2012 GRAND PRIZE WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

MR. & MRS. LUNA of Greensboro, North Carolina!
 

We've all been anxiously waiting to find out who won the Grand Prize of our 2012 Summer Days and Giveaways Event. For those who don't know, this past summer The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center partnered with Plantation Resort, Conway Chrysler and others to give away amazing prizes. Our weekly winners won a 3 Day, 2 Night Vacation to Myrtle Beach and our monthly winners won a 50" Flat Screen TV. November was our last month you could enter to win our Grand Prize... A Jeep Grand Cherokee!



Mr. and Mrs. Luna said on winning the grand prize, "We never thought that our search for a home during a vacation would give us the opportunity of winning a new car. God has truly blessed us, because we have never owned a new car before. When Mr. Starkes called my wife, she was skeptical at first, because we have never won anything of this magnitude in our whole lives. When we actually found out that this was true, we were so ecstatic and excited about seeing the car for the first time. Upon the days approaching our trip to get the car, we were so happy that we had to share the news with our extended family and obviously, they didn’t believe it. When we came home with the Jeep, the expressions on their faces were priceless. We never thought we could have been as lucky as we are, winning this new car. We'd like to thank the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center and Plantation Resort, as well as Sam Starkes, Susan Payne and anyone else who were involved in making this possible for our family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for blessing us."

We are so excited for the Luna Family and all of our other weekly and monthly winners this summer! If you didn't win this year, don't worry we have more prizes to give away in 2013! So if you are in Myrtle Beach, stop by The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center to enter to win amazing prizes!

Tips for Saving Money on Vacation Part IV: Food

While on vacation, expenses tend to add up quickly!  It can be hard to find the balance between budgeting your money, yet not limiting yourself in the experiences Myrtle Beach has to offer.  We have already explored how we can save money on airfare, driving and attractions. Today we'll discuss how to save money on one of vacation's greatest indulgences: food!

Pack lunches.  If you're driving, food expenses tend to add up from the moment you hit the road. This is especially true if you have kids with you complaining of hunger every hour! But instead of spending your food budget at McDonald's and Wendy's, why not wait and use it at the local restaurants your destination has to offer? Before you leave on your road trip, be sure to pack a cooler of snacks, sandwiches, fruit, etc to keep everyone fed. Do the same before you hit the beach! A picnic lunch sitting in the sand is an experience you won't want to miss- and it will save you money.  Purchasing water bottles at the beach can be quite expensive, so be sure to bring your own.

Take advantage of discounts. Before you come on vacation, do your research! Many restaurants have places where kids eat free, which will save you a pretty penny. Be sure to also look for coupons on restaurants.com, groupon.com and by stopping at the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center on your way into town.

Use the local grocery store.  While you want to enjoy Myrtle Beach's best restaurants, you don't need to eat out for every meal. If your resort has a kitchen, be sure to take advantage of the local grocery store (in fact, many of our vacationers get a kick out of visiting Piggly Wiggly).  If you want to get even more into the local fare, visit the seafood market!  Make your own breakfasts and lunches so you'll have a little extra to spend on dinner.

Be smart.  Most restaurants have huge portion sizes that can be difficult to finish. Be sure to take home leftovers in a doggy-bag and eat the second half of your meal for lunch the next day. If you really want to save, consider sharing a meal. You'll still get full and enjoy the best local cuisine, but you'll pay half as much.  Additionally, lunch prices tend to be significantly cheaper than dinner prices.  Try going out for a big lunch and having a smaller dinner later or even eating at home.

Hit two birds with one stone.  Two of Myrtle Beach's most popular attractions include dinner and a show!  By bundling the two together, you'll likely spend a little less than you would going to dinner followed by a show.  You'll save even more by purchasing discounted tickets to Pirate's Voyage and Medieval Times at the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center.

We'll also be happy to provide you with any additional Myrtle Beach information or tickets that you might need. Happy saving!

New Year's Eve in Myrtle Beach

It's time to wave goodbye to 2012 and ring in the New Year in style!  Myrtle Beach is a great place to celebrate, with a wide variety of events for both young and old.


Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach, 7pm

Head over to Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach for an unforgettable night!  You'll enjoy a night of great music and dancing at Broadway's best clubs, including Froggy Bottomz, Crocodile Rocks, Rodeo, Club Boca and Broadway Louie's.  To top it all off, there will be confetti cannons, a balloon drop, a DJ in the square, a champagne toast, a live feed from Times Square and fireworks!  Tickets run $30 if purchased in advance and are $35 on the 31st.


New Year's Eve Celebration Cruise on the Barefoot Princess, 7 - 9pm

Have a New Years Eve celebration unlike any other!  Climb aboard the Barefoot Princess Riverboat and spend the evening cruising along the famous Intracoastal Waterway.  While on board, you'll be treated to live entertainment, dancing, party favors and a full-service cash bar.  There will also be plenty of delicious food and desserts to keep your strength up during the party!  Tickets are $46 per person or $88 per couple. All aboard!


Noon Years Eve Party at The Children's Museum of South Carolina, 10am - 1pm

Before you take off for an adults' night out, celebrate New Years with the kids!  The Children's Museum will once again host their annual Noon Year's Eve party, where the little ones enjoy fun crafts, exciting games, a balloon drop and even a kid-friendly toast when the clock strikes noon!  Admission is $5.


New Years Eve at Brookgreen Gardens, 6 - 9pm

For a more relaxed evening, celebrate New Year's Eve at South Carolina's famous sculpture gardens.  Stroll through the gorgeous property while admiring the stunning views created by the hand-lit candles and lights strewn throughout the fountains and gardens. You'll also enjoy beautiful music with champagne and refreshments available for purchase.  Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.


New Years Eve Special Event at Comedy Cabana, 7:30 and 10pm

Laugh your way into the New Year at Myrtle Beach's stand-up hotspot, Comedy Cabana!  This local comedy club will feature some of their best comedians, party favors, an autographed photo of the headlining comic, a gift certificate for a future show and a balloon drop!  You'll have 2 opportunities to attend at 7:30 and 10pm, with the later show featuring a champagne toast.  Click here for pricing information.


New Years Eve Party and Concert at Hard Rock Cafe, 9:45pm


If you're searching for a big party, look no further than Hard Rock Cafe!  Everyone will dance to the live music of Black Glass while waiting for the clock to strike midnight.  Hard Rock will also provide confetti cannons, party favors, a huge balloon drop and live feed from Times Square.  Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 if purchased same-day.  Spaces are limited!



New Years Eve Celebration at Legends in Concert, 10pm

Celebrate the New Year with tunes sung by your favorite tribute artists, including Elvis Presley, Alan Jackson, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis and the Blues Brothers.  Legends will also broadcast the Times Square Ball drop and provide party favors.  If you want to raise your glass at midnight, champagne will also be available for purchase!


New Years Eve with Corey Smith at House of Blues, 9pm

Join Corey Smith, one of country music's hottest new artists, at the House of Blues to welcome the New Year!  Corey and special guests American Aquarium and Indian Rodeo will entertain you while you enjoy dancing, great food and a full-service bar.



New Years Eve Celebration at Landshark Bar and Grill and the SkyWheel, 9pm

Ring in the New Year in true Myrtle Beach fashion at the Landshark Bar and Grill.  You'll enjoy a live DJ, appetizers, a nacho bar, chili stations, a margarita shooter at midnight (or non-alcoholic beverage for those under 21), a live broadcast from Times Square and a ride on the famous Myrtle Beach SkyWheel!  Tickets are $39 per person or $75 per couple.


Be sure to stop by The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center to let us know where you will be celebrating your New Year's Eve. We can help you with directions, discounts and more! We look forward to ringing in a New Year with you here in Myrtle Beach!

January Events in Myrtle Beach

 

If you're fortunate enough to be starting off the New Year with a Myrtle Beach vacation, you'll have dozens of fun-filled activities to choose from! The Grand Strand has a fantastic line-up of events to kick off 2013 and we're excited to share them with you.


Society of Stranders Mid-Winter Break in North Myrtle Beach
January 18 - 20, See their website

50 years ago, a new dance craze was founded right here in Myrtle Beach, SC - the Shag! Today, the iconic dance lives on. Each year, the Society of Stranders calls on its thousands of Shag fans to escape the colder regions and return to the dance's birthplace for a few days of Shagging fun. Several of the clubs along Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach support the craze, playing beach music and hosting special events. Come watch the experts show their skills and teach you how to shag, too!


Magic at the Beach at the Carolina Opry
January 17 - 19, See their schedule


Magic enthusiasts, be ready. South Carolina's premier magic convention is coming to Myrtle Beach! Come enjoy a series of fantastic workshops, dinner buffets, lectures from your favorite magicians, contests and more! The grand finale takes place on Friday night in the Gilmore Auditorium at the Carolina Opry, where a series of world champion and ward-winning magicians will take the stage and perform their thrilling acts!


29th Annual Grand Strand Boat & Sportman Expo at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center
January 11, 10am - 7pm; January 12, 9am - 7pm; January 13 11am - 5pm

Head down to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for an expo of a wide variety of boating, ATV, hunting and mountain biking equipment. The event will also feature several seminars and, to top it all off, Swampmaster Jeff Quattrocchi will wrestle a 200-pound alligator!


A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline starring Gail Bliss at the Alabama Theatre
January 18 - 19, 7pm

In a special event, the Alabama theatre will host the talented Gail Bliss! Ms. Bliss and a live band will re-create the sound of the legendary Patsy Cline, performing 20 of her greatest hits. If you're a fan of classic country music, this an event you won't want to miss!


5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Rally Parade in Myrtle Beach
January 21, 11:30am - 2pm

Celebrate the life and contributions of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. by attending the 5th annual Freedom Rally Parade! The event will begin by the baseball stadium heading down Grissom Parkway toward 21st avenue where it will turn right heading east to Carver St, where it will turn right again to end at Mt. Olive AME Church.


The South East's Best Dance Crew Dance-Off at House of Blues
January 26, 6:30pm


The House of Blues will host dance crews from teams, high schools and anyone who thinks they have what it takes to compete for the title of the South East's best dance crew. Each crew has 3 minutes to perform, after which the 3 celebrity judges will deliberate to determine who will take home the $500 cash prize! Surprises will be given throughout the evening.



Silent Cities at Brookgreen Gardens
January 1 - February 28, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12pm and 2:30pm

Experience the history and culture of the area through Brookgreen Gardens' seasonal Silent Cities tour. Ride the Trekker through the back roads of the property to the historic former sites of Southern plantations. Here, you'll be taken on a walking tour through the graveyards of former slaves and plantation owners. Brookgreens' knowledgeable staff will expound upon the historical burial customs of African and European origins.


Remember, Myrtle Beach also has dozens of fantastic venues open year-round! Here at Plantation Resort, we also have a wide variety of on-site activities to entertain both you and your little ones! To learn more about what the area has to offer and to purchase tickets to your favorite attractions, be sure to stop by our Front Desk.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

The Holidays are a time of giving; giving love, giving hope, and giving presents.  I found a great blog article on gift ideas and wanted to share it as my gift to you!  Whether you are searching for a gift for a friend, neighbor, co-worker, teacher or for that someone who has everything, look here for some great ideas on gifts that are easy to make but will show the receiver how special they truly are.

On the blog "It's Written on the Wall" you will find 286 Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas. These ideas include everything from homemade gifts, to sayings that you can attach to things you buy. They even have creative ways to make your holiday gift look like you put a lot of time and thought into your gift, when in reality it only took 10 minutes to make! Below are highlights and links from their site. If you like their ideas, you can also click on their pinterest link and have a whole new world of gift ideas at your fingertips for any occasion.  For the full blog article, please click the link below.
It's Written on the Wall: 286 Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas-It's All Here!

Happy Holidays from the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center!

White Chocolate Christmas Pretzels 

 Christmas Carmel Corn 

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

30 Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas




25 Homemade Gifts from Country Living




Cute Tag Ideas




100 More Ideas for Neighbor Christmas Gifts

Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens

 

There's no better place to experience the magic and spirit of the Christmas season in the South than Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of 1000 Candles!  This spectacular evening, named as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, will make for an experience you will never forget!

 

To celebrate the season, Brookgreen Gardens, the famous property developed as a sculpture garden by the Huntingtons, is illuminated by 5,500 hand-lit candles. You'll find these incredible luminaries floating in the fountains and lining the walks, gleaming under the 250-year-old live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. The landscaping is strewn with sparkling lights and shining Chinese lanterns that illuminate the famous sculptures, creating a Southern winter wonderland.

As you meander through the glowing gardens, you'll hear the strains of beautiful Holiday music drifting across the air. Carolers stroll the paths while a wide variety of additional musicians perform in heated tents, giving you a chance to warm up while enjoying their melodies. Entertainers include vocal groups, guitar quartets, hand bell choirs, Gullah music, pop bands, harpists and even a bagpipe player. (Click here for a performance schedule.)

You can even enjoy dinner by candle-light!  Award-winning Inlet Affairs catering is stationed in a heated tent to serve you a delectable low country feast. The menu features all of your favorite Southern fare including shrimp and grits, inlet clam chowder, snow crab, oysters on the half shell, chicken bog, BBQ and chicken breast with fire-roasted corn and peppers. To warm your insides, hot chocolate, cider and coffee are also available. (Click here for a full menu and pricing information.)

To experience and create precious Christmas memories, be sure to bring your friends and families to Nights of a Thousand Candles. The event runs for 7 nights including December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st and 22nd from 3 - 10pm. Adult tickets are $16 and children's tickets (ages 4 - 12) cost $7.

On your way into town, be sure to stop by the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center in Aynor, South Carolina!  We'll provide you with additional information on this enchanting event as well as the other fantastic holiday attractions the area has to offer. We look forward to sharing the holiday season with you!

Summer Days and Giveaways

This year, The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center has offered the chance to win amazing Weekly, Monthly and Grand Prize Giveaways!

Weekly Giveaway: 3 Day, 2 Night Mini-Vacation in Beautiful Myrtle Beach

Monthly Giveaway: 50” Flat Screen TV

Grand-Prize Giveaway: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Congratulations to our November Winners!

Weekly Winners:

Mr. Stone & Ms. Hughes, Moore, SC
Mr. Kenco, Rock Hill, SC
Mr. and Mrs. Mangum, Monroe, NC
Ms. Braham, Clover, SC

Monthly Winner:

Mr. & Mrs. Walker Ellenwood, GA

Keep posted to see who won our Grand Prize Drawing for the Jeep Grand Cherokee! 

Even though 2012 is coming to an end, we will keep our giveaways going in the New Year! 

Stop in and see what great discounts are available and what prizes you can win!

Conveniently located off Highway 501 in Aynor, South Carolina