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THUNDERBIRDS TO ROAR IN
FOR 52ND SUN FUN FESTIVAL

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will blaze through the sky at the 52nd annual Sun Fun Festival, slated May 29 through June 2, 2003, throughout the Myrtle Beach area.

In their first appearance on the Grand Strand since 1995, the Thunderbirds will lead the way at the Sun Fun Air Show, one of many exciting events highlighting the five-day festival.

The announcement was made Thursday by Lance Thompson, chairman of the Sun Fun Festival Council. "We are extremely excited about having the Thunderbirds participate in the 2003 Sun Fun Festival," Thompson said. "They are always a huge crowd-favorite and will generate lots of enthusiasm for next years' event."

Each year, the Thunderbirds perform in dozens of air shows throughout the United States, as well as in other countries. Their primary mission is to support Air Force recruiting.

Civilian air show performers also were announced Thursday. They include the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Eric Beard's Russian Thunder, Gary Ward Aerobatics, and Steve Coan Sailplane Aerobatics, featuring "the world's fastest self-launching sailplane."

Another festival highlight will be the historic Sun Fun Festival Parade on Ocean Boulevard, which will showcase high school and military bands from throughout the Southeast, a kaleidoscope of colorful floats, and the entertaining Woodland String Band, a mummers ensemble from Philadelphia.

Both the parade and air show will take place on Saturday, May 31.

Sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Sun Fun Festival is the longest running event on the Grand Strand. It was named one of Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events in 2002, a distinction it has earned consistently since the top events were first chosen nearly 17 years ago.

For more information about the 52nd annual Sun Fun Festival, contact Marilyn Chewning at (843) 626-7444 Ext. 7213, Holly Tanner at Ext. 7239, or visit www.myrtlebeachinfo.com.

St. Patrick's Day parade and festival in North Myrtle Beach Are you Irish? No? Your ancestors are from Mainland Europe, Asia, Africa, America? And you are at a St. Patrick's Day celebration?

Of course. Can you think of any other foreign holiday which is celebrated more in America than St. Patrick's Day? I understand we celebrate this holiday more than the Irish do. They are a fun loving group and people love joining their festivities, and creating their own. St. Patrick's Day is definitely USA's adopted holiday!

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is no different! Although most people in attendance are not Irish, everyone is Irish that day as a parade and festival tradition is honored every year to growing numbers of fun lovers who enjoy wholesome, exciting family fun. North Myrtle Beach will be celebrating this glorious holiday, which marks Ireland's patron Saint Patrick's birthday on March 15, 2003.

Last year over 30,000 locals and visitors attended the all day event ... so we're talking BIG EVENT HERE! The day starts off with a parade of 150 units marching down Main Street at 9 a.m. Next comes the Festival which runs until 4 p.m. Celebrants can shop and view arts and crafts, sample a variety of traditional and first-rate foods, PLUS be entertained throughout the day at several stages.

Come join us in North Myrtle Beach on March 15th and EXPLORE YOUR IRISH CONNECTIONS!

Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

The James G. Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum greets 2003 with three exhibitions featuring the works of four South Carolina artists. The Art Museum invites the public to join its members and artists Rose Metz, Deanne Ackerman, Sylvester Hickman and Lee Sipe.

The exhibitions, Rose Metz's Pentimento, Deane Ackerman and Sylvester Hickman's Pencil, Pen and Paint and Lee Sipe's East Meets West-Innovations from Nature. Free Sunday at the Museum for these exhibitions will be January 26, 2003, with a docent tour at 2 pm let by Bobby Lawson, retired Coastal Carolina University art instructor.

Three of the artists, Metz, Ackerman and Hickmon, live in Sumter. Rose Metz's glowing abstracts are known in contemporary are circles throughout South Carolina. Often a prizewinner in regional juried art exhibitions such as the South Carolina Watercolor Society and the South Carolina State Fair, she has had solo exhibitions in other museums in the state.

For years she has taught at the Sumter Gallery of Art, in addition to conducting workshops throughout the state. A lifelong student of art, Metz has studied at various art institutions in this country and abroad, including with noted Myrtle Beach painter Alex Powers.

The Spring Swing

The Spring Swing will take place on April 12, 2003 3-11p.m. Under the Main Street Bridge in Conway, SC. Free admission!

Delight in the historic sites of Conway with narrated tours aboard a trolley courtesy of LYMO. Trolley departs on Laurel Street at 2nd Avenue by the water tower.

Train Rides sponsored by Carolina Southern Railroad. tickets are $5 for adults & $3 for children. All proceeds and services are donated by Carolina Southern Railroad to the Conway Chamber. Riverboat Rides on the Kingston Lady are $6.00 per person. Riverboat Rides begin at 4:30. Space is limited.

Children's Activities: Pony Rides, The Dump Truck Slide, Tugger the Tiger Activity Area, The Moon Bounce, Murlin's Magic Toss Game and Under the Sea Adventure Fun. $1.00 per ride-per child or $10.00 per child stamp unlimited rides, good for the entire festival.(excludes pony rides) Call The Conway Chamber at 843-248-2273 for more information.

Canadian-American Days Festival

The 42nd Canadian-American Days Festival will run March 8-16. Welcome receptions for Canadian and American visitors are planned Monday, March 10, at three locations, with entertainment, door prizes, and refreshments for all.

Musical entertainment has a major role in this year's lineup. A joint concert by the 82nd Airborne Soldiers Chorus, 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Pipes & Drums, and Vocal Edition will be performed at the Myrtle Beach High School Music and Arts Center. A Can-Am Big Band Dance will be held at the North Myrtle Beach Community Center, with music provided by Ontario's No Strings Attached and The Stardusters of North Myrtle Beach. Performances by Canada's Seaforth and District All Girls Marching Band, Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach, and the Myrtle Beach Regional Pipe Band also are planned, along with several appearances by festival favorite Mo Vint, noted for his virtuoso harmonica playing and wonderful rapport with the audience.

RIVERBOAT PRINTS

Now available from the Horry County Museum, a collection of three pen and ink drawings of the famous riverboats from the early days of transportation on the Waccamaw River. Drawn by Marti Deichelbor from original photographs from the museum's collections, the prints measure approximately 15"x20" and depict three of the most unique steamships, the F.G. Burroughs, the Commanche and the Mitchell C. Available in signed or unsigned prints selling for $15 and $10 respectively per print. Available only through the Horry County Museum, 438 Main Street, Conway, S.C. 29526.