More than 100 festive boats join in Murrells Inlet parade
Last Updated on 3/12/2010
Published on 7/5/2009
By Clayton Stairs
cstairs@gtowntimes.com
A grand time was had by all during the 26th annual Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, although there was some unpleasantness afterwards.
Organizer Bob Hendrick says the festive event was a big success this year.
"I think everything went off well," Hendrick said. "It was probably one of the biggest ones yet."
Thousands of people gathered along the creekfront to cheer more than 100 boats decorated in patriotic colors.
The theme this year was "Freedom is Fine in 2009," and many of the boats and docks that were judged included that slogan in their designs.
Adding to the theme
Some boats added to the theme, with costumes such as General Lee and the Statue of Liberty, or a large number of flags and their own messages.
The winning boat had people dressed as The Jackson Five.
Other winning boats used characters from Star Wars and familiar items from Christmastime to attract the judge's attention.
One of the winning docks, owned by the Rice family, created their winning look by focussing on the environment.
With the title "It's not easy being green," they dressed as frogs that love recycling.
Everyone pitched in to make the dock design a success.
'The place to go'
Ron and Ty Willard of Myrtle Beach attended the parade with their two-year-old daughter Ava.
They said they have come to the boat parade for the last two years.
"It is the place to go on the south end of the Grand Strand," Ron Willard said. "We love to gather with people to celebrate our independence."
This was the fourth year for Len and Gretchen Blatnica of Murrells Inlet.
They say they enjoy this "small hometown celebration."
"We would rather be here than anywhere on the Fourth," Gretchen Blatnica said. "Everybody seems to be having a great time."
Lewis and Gladie Mack of Murrells Inlet said they love to see all of the decorated boats.
Julie Smith of Sterling, Va., agreed.
"This is my first time," Smith said. "It is just something different and fun.
Five trophies were awarded to the best decorated boats and the best decorated docks.
Boat Winners
1st Place -- James King "Jackson 5 Freedom Tour"
2nd Place -- the Smith family
3rd Place -- Jimmy Kidd "Statue of Liberty"
Honorable Mention -- Jason Rosenburg "Star Wars" and Dennis Miles "Christmas in July"
Dock Winners
1st Place -- Linda and Ron Matthews
Honorable Mention -- The Rice Family, Margaret Anne May, Robin Edwards and Phyllis Hendrix
