Add Medieval Intrigue and Fun to Your Next Myrtle Beach Getaway
By: Thomas Schultz
Home to more than 60 miles of beautiful beaches and a variety of attractions for the entire family, Myrtle Beach is one of the top destinations on the East Coast. Fun seekers will be enamored with the variety of great attractions such as Myrtle Beach Safari, Myrtle Waves Water Park, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium. Whether it’s taking in the stunning oceanfront vistas or enjoying the great seafood at the Pier House Restaurant, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a must for everyone.
Mythical & Medieval Fest is the only Renaissance festival in the Myrtle Beach Area, and it will take place November 11-12. The family-friendly event places patrons in a medieval realm complete with artisans, simulated combat, princesses, and more. Attendees will encounter a spectrum of fun activities including a maze, archery, sack toss, and ax throwing. This year’s event will feature a variety of live demonstrations including everything from glass blowing to blacksmithing. The live entertainment offers something for every attendee including live guitar and flute music, archery on horseback, and a unique whip and knives act. The food area will have festival favorites like turkey legs and soups, and a variety of festival fare and tasty treats will also be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to don their finest medieval garb and bring their imaginations to this one-of-a-kind experience. The event’s proceeds will go to Caleb’s Dragonfly Dreams – a nonprofit that provides positive activities for abused, abandoned, or neglected children. We interviewed Event Founder, Shellie Rabon, to learn more about this great family-friendly celebration.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
SR: This is our 4th year!
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
SR: We expect around 3,000 attendees.
RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?
SR: Everyone, we see grandmothers with the kids dressed up, families, and singles as well.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
SR: We have tons of festivals in Myrtle Beach, but nothing like ours. Once people walk into our festival their imagination just starts turning. Adults become kids again blowing bubbles with fairies running through our maze. Husbands and wives can settle disputes in our fight circle (soft foam sword area). Kids can find scavenger hunt items, make elf doors for their trees at home, and plunder with pirates and Vikings. They get to become whomever they imagine. We also have tons of different entertainment options like a whips and knives act and archery on horseback, just to name a couple.
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
SR: We have a great selection of activities such as:
- Archery
- Ax Throwing
- Sack Toss
- Fight Circle
- Fairy Door Making
- Demonstrations
- Glassblowing
- Blacksmiths
- Yarn Spinners
- Pottery
- Live Period Music
- Fire Spinners and Breathers
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
SR: We will have Josh Weston, season four winner of the History Channel’s Forged in Fire doing blacksmith demonstrations and selling his wares.
RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?
SR: We have turkey legs, bread bowls and soup, pasta, funnel cakes, cookies, and more!
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up for the event?
SR: We currently have a $55/night partnership with a local Clarion Hotel.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
SR: Yes, we are usually a summer tourist area, so having the event in November will bring some business back in our off-season time.
RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?
SR: Yes, this festival is an annual fundraiser for a small nonprofit called Caleb’s Dragonfly Dreams. We provide positive activities and experiences to kids that have been abused, abandoned, or neglected that live in group homes.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
SR: We invite everyone to dance around the colorful maypole, find their way through our forest maze, but be careful a tree just might come alive. With every winding road through our village, we entertain you with mythical characters like red riding hood and dazzle you with our artisans and their wares. Pull up a hay bale and share a turkey leg while listening to live period musicians strumming their guitars.
For more information about the Mythical & Medieval Fest, please visit the event website.
