Myrtle Beach area News

4th Annual Christmas Towne Offers Double the Family Fun

Christmas Towne, a free community event currently in its fourth year, will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 6, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center’s events plaza. The Southeast Tourism Society has selected Christmas Towne as a Top 20 event for December 2007, an honor given to only the best events in the Southeast.

“Christmas Towne is designed to give families memories of holiday fun that will last a lifetime,” said Holly McMillan, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce festivals and special events director. “I’m thrilled that we have double the fun this year, with twice as many inflatable rides and free activities and twice as much participation by area businesses.”

The event will feature the official tree lighting ceremony for Myrtle Beach that begins at 6 p.m. and will be emceed by Diane DeVaughn Stokes as Jingles the Elf. The ceremony also will showcase the talents of Forestbrook Elementary School’s 5th grade chorus and Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach.

Other free activities include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, wagon and pony rides, cookie decorating, button and ornament making, face painting, balloon and spin art, basketball hoop shooting, toss games, LEGO building, a Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission petting zoo, Myrtle Beach Pelicans speed pitch, and a Children’s Museum of South Carolina display. Thirty area businesses will be participating to provide these—and more—activities at no cost.

For a small fee, children can create their own stuffed animals at the Fluff & Stuff Bear Factory.

To get event go-ers in the holiday spirit, Wendy’s Restaurants will be serving free chili, and Cheerwine will be serving free soft drinks. Free cookies, apple cider and hot chocolate also will be available.

Christmas Towne is an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots. Those who attend are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to help make holiday dreams come true for local children.

“Toys for Tots has sent an urgent plea for toys this year,” McMillan said. “I encourage participants to remember a child in need and bring a toy.”

Christmas Towne is sponsored by Wendy’s Restaurants and Cheerwine and is organized by the chamber and the city of Myrtle Beach.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit www.MyrtleBeachInfo.com/ChristmasTowne.