This March the Myrtle Beach area is celebrating the 51st annual Canadian-American Days by welcoming Canadian and American visitors with a lineup of fun events, giveaways, discounts and concerts taking place along the Grand Strand.

From March 10-18, Can-Am Days attendees can choose from a variety of largely free events and activities including concerts, the festival celebration expo, St. Patrick’s Day parade and dance, and more. Discounts and special offers are also available for area attractions, restaurants, golf and services.

“Can-Am Days celebrate our snowbird visitors, who escape the cold and snow for the moderate climate and wealth of attractions in the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Many of these visitors have been traveling to our destination for decades, and with every passing year we strive to create new memories for each generation.”

Can-Am Days draw as many as 100,000 Canadian visitors. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Canada Days in 1961 to attract Canadian families during their spring school break. The name was changed to Canadian-American Days in 1963. It is regarded as the first international festival organized in South Carolina.

The 51st Annual Canadian-American Days schedule includes the following events:

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Can-Am Days Doll & Bear Show
WHERE & WHEN: Lakewood Campground Conference Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DETAILS: Cost for admission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (803) 783-8049 or visit www.knightshows.com.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach Annual Can-Am Concert
WHERE & WHEN: First United Methodist Church, 901 North Kings Hwy. in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Concert begins at 3 p.m.

DETAILS: Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

FOR MORE INFORMAITON: Call David Howard at (843) 360-9446.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

South Strand’s Can-Am Concert at Inlet Square Mall
WHERE & WHEN: Inlet Square Mall, 10125 Hwy. 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet, S.C. The musical group SEARSON will perform from 12 to 2:30 p.m., Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach will perform from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and Mixed Creeds will perform from 3:15 to 4 p.m.

DETAILS: Admission is free. Attendants are also encouraged to check out the merchants’ specials as well as a mercy honors pinning ceremony. The South Strand Can-Am Concert is hosted by Inlet Square Mall and sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

North Strand’s Can-Am Concert at Myrtle Beach Mall

WHERE & WHEN: Myrtle Beach Mall, 10177 North Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, S.C. The musical group SEARSON will provide live entertainment beginning at 12 p.m.

DETAILS: Admission is free. The North Strand Can-Am Concert is hosted by Myrtle Beach Mall and sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

24th Annual Run to the Sun
WHERE & WHEN: This year’s event will be held March 15 at 5 p.m. at the old Myrtle Square Mall site and continue through March 17 with a series of activities for participants.

DETAILS: For more than 20 years, Run to the Sun has been Myrtle Beach’s premiere car show. The event features three days full of cruising along Ocean Boulevard, car shows and races that bring in car enthusiasts from near and far.

Friday, March 16, 2012

51st Annual Canadian-American Days Festival Expo
WHERE & WHEN: Coastal Grand Mall, 2000 Coastal Grand Circle, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DETAILS: Free admission. The expo will feature drawings for prizes from more than 40 exhibitors, live entertainment featuring The Andrew Thielen Big Band, as well as special performances by talent from Legends in Concert beginning at 10:30 a.m. The 51st Annual Can-Am Days Festival Expo is sponsored and hosted by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Andrew Thielen Big Band St. Patrick’s Day Dance
WHERE & WHEN: Surfside Beach Civic Center, 115 Highway 17 North, Surfside Beach, S.C., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

DETAILS: Free admission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 650-9548 or visit www.surfsidebeach.org.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Ocean Boulevard’s 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
WHERE & WHEN: Ocean Boulevard, Downtown Myrtle Beach, S.C., 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

DETAILS: Free admission. Ocean Boulevard’s 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration will feature music, fun and authentic Irish food and beverages. Activities are set to include live performances, a ‘Pier to Pier’ race, kids’ zone, games and more. Ocean Boulevard will be closed to motor vehicles from 8th Avenue North to 11th Avenue North.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Jonathan Staton at (843) 997-6695 or visit www.mbdowntownstpats.com for complete festival schedule.

Third Annual Irish Fest
WHERE & WHEN: Valor Park at The Market Common, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

DETAILS: Free admission. The third annual Irish Fest will include Irish food, beer, entertainment and kids’ activities.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
WHERE & WHEN: The 24th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Main Street.

DETAILS: The parade is touted as the largest on the Grand Strand with more than 100 entries. After the parade, Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, SC comes to life with this annual festival. If a grand parade wasn’t enough, waiting at the end of Main Street is a festival you will not want to miss. Over 125 vendors will display their arts and crafts. Food vendors and Main Street businesses will have a variety of treats for everyone to enjoy. Two stages of continuous live entertainment will keep the Irish spirit in you all day. Bring the “wee” ones to enjoy the children’s area that is chocked full of rides and games for all ages. The coldest Irish brews and famous Irish food will be served up all day long. Festivities end at 4 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.stpatnmb.com.

Grand Strand Beach Ballroom Social Dance
WHERE & WHEN: Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

DETALIS: Tickets are $7 and available for purchase at the Grand Strand Senior Center. The St. Patrick’s Dance will feature decorations, beverages and music by the Harlequin duo. Attendees may bring a snack for their table.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 626-3991.

Huntington Beach State Park’s 18th Annual Wildlife and History Day
WHERE & WHEN: Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, S.C., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DETAILS: All activities and programs are free with paid park admission. Attendees can explore the various activities and places our community has to offer ranging from cultural history to exciting wildlife and enjoy music and food from local restaurants.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 235-8755.

Dog Agility Competition
WHERE & WHEN: A Dog’s Way Inn, 761 Pendergrass Avenue (behind T-Bones Steak House), Murrells Inlet, S.C., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DETAILS: The public is welcome to watch the competition for free. This event is hosted by A Way to Play Dog Agility Club, teams of canine athletes and human handlers from Canada to Florida gather for a weekend of competition. With more than 200 races through obstacle courses each day, dog agility is an exciting and fun spectator sport. There will be refreshments and pet supply vendors available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 357-4545.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Dog Agility Competition
WHERE & WHEN: A Dog’s Way Inn, 761 Pendergrass Avenue (behind T-Bones Steak House), Murrells Inlet, S.C., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DETAILS: The public is welcome to watch the competition for free. This event is hosted by A Way to Play Dog Agility Club, teams of canine athletes and human handlers from Canada to Florida gather for a weekend of competition. With more than 200 races through obstacle courses each day, dog agility is an exciting and fun spectator sport. There will be refreshments and pet supply vendors available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 357-4545.

Epic Musical Portraits
WHERE & WHEN: Myrtle Beach High School Music & Arts Center, 3302 Grissom Parkway, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
DETAILS: This concert featuring the Carolina Master Chorale will offer up some of the most effective and popular musical portraits in symphonic literature, including Prokofiev’s epic portrayal of the great Medieval Russian hero, Alexander Nevsky.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (843) 448-8379 or visit www. longbaysymphony.com.