Myrtle Beach’s beloved Sun Fun Festival draws huge crowd as 70th birthday nears

Hannah Huffstickler
·2 min read

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — It was 1951 when organizers launched a springtime festival aimed at showcasing all Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Since then, the Sun Fun Festival has grown into a beloved annual event, and the 69th rendition that began Saturday was no exception.

U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuters, live music, games and plenty of basking on the sand were all on tap for those who attended the event at Plyler Park.

“We try to bring some 80’s and 90’s and beach music back to Myrtle Beach to kind of capture some if that nostalgic feel, but celebrate Myrtle Beach and everything that we have and everything that we are as a town,” said festival chairwoman Michelle Plyler.

Myrtle Beach resident Jadon Lowe was at the festival for the first time last year, and said he had to come back.

“It was really fun last year and I saw it was an annual thing so I’m like ‘why not come out for a second time,” he said. “Definitely one of the highlights of Myrtle Beach, one of the highlights of the season when everyone is coming into Myrtle Beach.”

Plyler says the festival is growing every year.

“The US Army Golden Knights bring in a different element to the festival, they bring in that air show part that so many people miss and they are from right up the road at Fort Liberty so we’re happy to have them participate,” she said.

While there are many events for everyone in the family, Lowe says there are two main things that stick out to him.

“I would say really just the bands and the jump and of course the beautiful weather obviously, but yeah those are two highlights for me for sure.”

The festival is all weekend long and there is no charge to get in. It is located at Plyler Park next to the Myrtle Beach Skywheel.

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Hannah Huffstickler is a multimedia journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2024 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2023. Keep up with Hannah on Facebook and Instagram. You can also read more of her work here.

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