NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Thousands of people came out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday.
Kristin Brown, a Conway resident, experienced her first St. Patrick’s Day festival in North Myrtle Beach this year. She says she went to spend time with family and friends.
“We’re Irish, of course, and we always heard about it, and we said, ‘You know what, we need to get out, we need to try it and experience it,’ and I know it’s been going on for 31 years so we said, ‘Hey, let’s go out and let’s do it,” Brown said.
Some attendees even hailed from other countries.
Larry Hannigan, who was dressed as a leprechaun at the event, drove all the way from Canada to spend the month of March in North Myrtle Beach. He goes to the parade every year, but it wasn’t until recently that he started dressing up as a leprechaun. He says the costume is always a hit.
“Last year I got pictures taken galore,” Hannigan said.
The parade was followed by a St. Patrick’s Day Festival with live performances and over 150 vendors.
“I really love the fact that so many people came out and a lot for the children, and that’s what it’s all about, just everybody getting together as a community and enjoying good, healthy fun,” Brown said.
