The annual Blue Crab Festival in Little River, South Carolina, is about more than crabs. Billed as 'the South's great street festival,' there's fun for everyone. In 1981 a few vendors hoped to bring tourism to the sleepy waterfront town, and set up a tables under a tree to sell food and crafts. Gradually music, contests, and more arts and crafts were added. Today the festival is visited by more than fifty-thousand people each year. Yearly events include the Annual Beauty Pageant, World Series of Gospel Music, Annual 5-k Run, and an art competition featuring local and visiting artists.
Locals in the community connect with each other through the festival and expand their organizations and businesses, but the festival is more than a commercial enterprise. Vendors have contributed over one-hundred-thousand dollars in the past three years to community groups for projects like new equipment for the Volunteer Fire Department and disaster relief for coastal hurricane victims. The event is held the third weekend in May. Open Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Little River is 23 miles north of Myrtle Beach along the Atlantic coast. Advance tickets are available at various locations around the city; general admission at the gate is slightly higher. Children under 6 are admitted free.
Food vendors, artists, musicians, businesses and organizations are invited to participate; applications must be filed prior to the event. Fees are determined by size of booth, payable in advance. Only workers with passes will be allowed to man the booths. Electricity is available for an extra charge. Juried events require entrance fees.
