Carolina Country Music Fest: How to get around Myrtle Beach during the four-day event
Another traffic pattern will be put in place next weekend as thousands of country music fans flock to Myrtle Beach to see big-name stars Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Alabama and others perform at the Carolina Country Music Fest.
The four-day outdoor music festival has become one of the most anticipated events each year for Myrtle Beach. With the event attracting over 30,000 county music lovers last year, Myrtle Beach police are gearing up for the June 6-9 festival along Ocean Boulevard at the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion property.
Police hosted an informational forum Thursday morning outlining the traffic pattern that will be implemented between Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway from 8th Avenue North to 9th Avenue North during the busy CCMF weekend to ensure safety and monitor traffic.
“The keyword on roadways is going to be patience,” Capt. Joey Crosby said. “We’re going to have a lot of congestion, the roadways are going to be busy, the keyword here is going to be patience and give yourself plenty of time.”
Ocean Boulevard will be closed Wednesday at 8 a.m. between 8th and 9th Avenue North as officers prepare for the event, Crosby said. Traffic restrictions will then go into effect at 4 p.m. on Thursday and at noon Friday to Sunday.
Traffic moving north on Ocean Boulevard must turn right onto 7th Avenue North. All traffic heading west on 7th Avenue North will have to turn right at Kings Highway. Traffic officers will be placed at intersections to ensure traffic moves swiftly, Crosby said. Due to the lane taper, all traffic on Kings Highway will be funneled into the inside lane.
Crosby said drivers will be allowed to go in any direction once they’ve reached Mr. Joe White Avenue.
While 8th Avenue North and the eastbound lane on 9th Avenue North will remain closed starting Thursday morning, drivers will be allowed to drive southbound on 9th Avenue North until 3 p.m. when traffic will flow west toward Mr. Joe White Avenue. Police will then divert traffic at Mr. Joe White Avenue westbound to Kings Highway detour, Crosby said.
Cars traveling northbound on Ocean Boulevard during the daytime hours until 3 p.m. will be allowed to turn up 9th Avenue North to Kings Highway. Additionally, 9th Avenue North between Kings Highway and Oak Street will be open to customers and employees of businesses along Avenue.
Rideshare services can be found at 9th Avenue North between Kings Highway and Oak Street, with the shuttle service for those parking at former Myrtle Square Mall site picking up and dropping off near the Pavilion. Festival attendees can visit Ground Zero on Chester Street for any ticket inquiries with police providing short-term parking across the street.
If Ocean Boulevard becomes congested, Crosby said police will aim to alleviate traffic at 16th Avenue North.
To avoid any confusion, Crosby said, there will be signage strategically placed throughout the city to inform residents and visitors of the traffic pattern, advising alternate routes to avoid the downtown. There will also be a heavy police presence along Ocean Boulevard, at the festival and the surrounding areas.
“We realize this is a very busy weekend for us traditionally,” Crosby said. “Our messaging this week to our motorists is going to be please be patient, give yourself additional time and please plan ahead.”
The more than 30 confirmed bands and artists will perform across two stages with the festival kicking off on June 6 with Morgan Evans, Travis Denning, Gyth Rigdon, Dee Jay Silver and Alabama, who will celebrate their 50th anniversary in the city their career began.
Check out the rest of the line-up below:
Friday
Coors Light Main Stage
Dierks Bentley
Brothers Osborne
Randy Houser
Jimmie Allen
Gabby Barrett
Dee Jay Silver
Smithfield
American Anthem Stage
High Valley
Sweet Tea Trio
Ryan Trotti
Battle of the Bands Winner
Saturday
Coors Light Main Stage
Florida Georgia Line
Dan + Shay
Cam
Gone West
Delta Rae
Dee Jay Silver
Warrick McZeke
American Anthem Stage
Mitchell Tenpenny
Trea Landon
Kevin Mac Ft. Yesterday’s Wine
Battle of the Bands Winner
Sunday
Coors Light Main Stage
Thomas Rhett
Dustin Lynch
Midland
Rhett Atkins
Dylan Schneider
Dee Jay Silver
John Gurney
American Anthem Stage
Filmore
Matt Stell
Battle of the Bands Winner
Battle of the Bands Winner
The fifth annual Carolina Country Music Fest will take place at 812 N. Ocean Blvd. starting June 6 and concluding on June 9. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.carolinacountrymusicfest.com.
This story was originally published May 30, 2019 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Carolina Country Music Fest: How to get around Myrtle Beach during the four-day event."