While Americans set aside Memorial Day to honor our fallen servicemen and women, it’s also the unofficial start of summer. The Hammock Coast of South Carolina offers plenty of sand, sea, and sunshine to get your summer started right. Start your summer off in Pawleys Island where you’ll discover plenty of family-friendly activities over the holiday weekend.
Kick-Off Summer with a Memorable Memorial Day Weekend
Anglers can sign up for the 54th Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament, set May 26-28 out of the Georgetown Landing Marina. Click here for registration information to participate. Even if you don’t want to spend a day in a boat, it’s entertaining to come out to the marina and watch as fishermen unload their catch for weigh-in. In 2021, 65 boats participated, bringing in 46 blue marlins, three white marlins, and seven sailfish. The winning catch was a 445.3-pound blue marlin. Now, that’s something to see! The event is billed (see what we did there?) as the oldest billfish tournament in South Carolina and one of the oldest on the East Coast.
If golf is your game, take part in one (or both) of the two Memorial Day Classics set on Pawleys Island. The first is at True Blue Golf Club with an 8 a.m. tee time start on May 28. The second Classic takes place at Heritage Golf Club, with a start at 12:30 p.m. on May 30. Put together a foursome or register as a single player to get out on the green.
Pack your running (or walking) shoes to participate in the Brookgreen Gardens Memorial Day Run/Walk and One-Mile Fun Run on Sunday, May 29. The 5K starts at 6 p.m.; Fun Run at 6:15 p.m. This event takes participants through the beautiful and historic Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve. The 9,100-acre property includes several themed gardens with American figurative sculptures placed in them, the Lowcountry Zoo, and trails through several ecosystems in nature reserves on the property.
The Annual Surfside Beach Memorial Day Golf Cart Parade rolls at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 30. The lineup starts on 16th Avenue North and the parade runs south on Ocean Boulevard. Deck out your cart in red, white, and blue as a way to honor those military members lost in service to their country. No registration is required to participate.
After the parade, enjoy live music with Joshua Kendrick at Inlet Provision Company on Murrells Inlet. Kendrick performs at 5 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Of course, you’ll want comfortable and convenient accommodations during your weekend. Stay at the three-bedroom/three-bath Oyster Catcher, a villa in the Oystercatcher Island community, and take advantage of the pool right next door. You’ll also enjoy incredible views from the unit’s sundeck. On A Whim is another three-bedroom property located just steps from the True Blue Golf Resort community pool. Both properties offer fully equipped kitchens, plenty of space, and access to amenities.
Memorial Day weekend provides the perfect reason to get back to the beach as days get warmer and longer.