Saturday, May 18, 2013

Published: Monday, May. 06, 2013 / Updated: Monday, May. 06, 2013 09:44 AM

Myrtle Beach ready for motorcycle rally

The Associated Press
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- 
Businesses along the Grand Strand are excited about the upcoming motorcycle rally.
The Spring Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson Crusin' the Coast rally is adding entertainment to attract more visitors, The Sun News of Myrtle Beach ( http://bit.ly/Ypqnj3) reported. This year's rally also will include a 90-mile bike ride across the Grand Strand.
The Myrtle Beach Speedway and Bucksport Marina are expanding the number of events in hopes of drawing a bigger crowd.
"The Speedway used to be one of the most popular rally points during the spring and fall bike weeks but hasn't hosted a rally for years," said speedway general manager Howard Richardson.
Bucksport Marina general manager Ralph Simms said his business opened a new 5,000-square foot Tiki bar with a bandstand. There will be live music each day of the rally at a complex on the Waccamaw River.
But there are still some questions about this year's event. Organizers say the festival is starting May 10 and running through May 19.
But permits for vendors issued by Horry County do not take effect until May 13.
Fifty-four permits had been issued as of May 1, said county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier.
There are also questions about how many bikers will show up, as the rally continues to be affected by efforts in recent years to make sure bikers don't cause too much disruption.
Attendance peaked about 10 years ago and began dropping when Myrtle Beach City Council took a number of steps to crack down on pr9oblems with noise, public drunkenness and other problems.
Last year, police issued 285 warnings and issued 147 citations. Fines were assessed totaling $33,318.
Information from: The Sun News, http://www.thesunnews.com/

No comments: