Sands Insider

• Defining Summer

  Beach bum: n. a person who lives to wander the beach, strand, shoreline. One who spends significant time sitting by the ocean soaking in sunshine and dipping feet into surf. Unlike a beachcomber, the beach bum is not a vagrant looking for items of value in the sand. Instead, the beach bum embraces the value of the seaside experience in its entirety. In the beach bum’s natural habitat, he/she appears relaxed, tanned to some degree and will have sand imprinted on various parts of the body, but most certainly on the bum. US sl.

• Honoring Our Military Heroes

  In honor of this country’s service men and women, Myrtle Beach will celebrate Military Appreciation Days during the month of May with discounts at area restaurants and attractions, free concerts and a parade, picnic and 5K to highlight the celebration on May 25. The parade will stream along Ocean Boulevard from 27th Avenue North to Ninth Avenue North with Rocky Bleier, a US Army vet and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, serving as Grand Marshal. Military families are invited to enjoy a picnic after the parade with entertainment provided by the Andrew Thielen Big Band. Vacationers will also want to visit…

• Myrtle Beach Happenings

  Why not plan your next vacation around one of the Grand Strand’s exciting festivals. There are plenty to choose from with each delivering its own unique flair, from Christian music to great food and entertainment. A few of my favorites include: MayFest on Main, set for May 11, in North Myrtle Beach, featuring food vendors, arts and crafts and live entertainment. Beach Blast, set for May 18, in downtown Myrtle Beach between 8th and 9th avenues North, featuring Christian music bands like TobyMac, Tenth Avenue North and Building 429. Blue Crab Festival, set for May 18-19, in Little River, featuring great food,…

• Homespun Vacation

  For years, going on vacation meant just that ...GOING! I'd pack my bags and head to Virginia, Florida, North Carolina or Georgia. I've even gone on cruises to the Caribbean, bus trips to Atlantic City and  I've ventured as far as Holland.  All in the name of vacationing.  It's only been for  about five years that I've grasped the concept of a "staycation."   It's  a vacation you take at home. You stay at home and enjoy all that your own community has to offer.  I'm lucky. My staycation is in Myrtle Beach. I get to stay on the oceanfront,…

• Bring On SunDay FunDays

  Starting in April, the Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill will amp up its live summer concert series on Sundays. Over the past few years, Sundays have jammed with bands performing at the Intracoastal Waterway venue, bouncing with thousands of music lovers coming in by land and by boat. And when the music stops, the party continues under the bridge at Magoo's Sports & Spirits with baskets of 35-cent chicken wings in flavors from traditional Buffalo to Parmyaki to Buffalo Garlic Parm. Featured acts at the Boathouse in 2012 included Rehab, Drivin’NCryin’, Kip Moore, Fuel, Coolio and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The Boathouse…

• Flying High in Myrtle Beach

  Among Myrtle Beach’s most noted new attractions is the Myrtle Beach Skywheel. Rising 200 feet above sea level, with each enclosed gondola seating from two to six passengers, guests get a panoramic view of the entire downtown area. It has quickly become one of Myrtle Beach’s most visited attractions and is on many vacationers’ must do list. Located on the new boardwalk, with amusements, dining, and a scenic oceanfront view, the Skywheel offers year round entertainment and a fabulous night show that lights up the area in a dazzling array of spectacular colors. The Sands Resorts highly recommends a visit…

• Honoring our American Heroes

  Heartstrings will be tugged. Tears may spill. And patriotism will surely swell. Sands Resorts’ “Hall of Heroes” has that affect on those who visit here. “Hall of Heroes” in The Rawcliffe Center at Ocean Dunes/Sand Dunes Resort & Villas pays tribute to those men and women who have defended America’s freedom in conflicts around the world, including such wars as the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, World Wars I and II and the Global War on Terror. The tribute features a scaled replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, etched with all 58,253 names. It serves as an impressive…