For the last three decades, an annual gathering of classic cars — from Thunderbirds and Model T ’s to vintage Corvettes and Mustangs — has accompanied spring’s blossoming flowers and warming weather in South Carolina. And come March 15-17, 2018, the tradition will continue as the Run to the Sun Car Show marks its milestone 30th anniversary with a return to Myrtle Beach.
Held off North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach on the former site of Myrtle Square Mall, Run to the Sun 30 features three days of activities and events that revolve around thousands of classic cars and trucks, each restored to its eras-old glory and in attendance at the event. Of course, such a spectacle attracts large numbers of car lovers, who come from far and wide to see and display the iconic cars while celebrating America’s rich automotive tradition.
This annual Grand Strand tradition — which is presented by an area club of auto enthusiasts known as the Pee Dee Street Rodders — got off to a humble start back in 1988 with a total of 88 cars. It has since become the largest independent car show on the East Coast, growing to include thousands of cars each year and along the way raising more than $1.5 million for local charities. In 2018, the event’s proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Horry County Benevolent Fund and the Grand Strand Miracle League.
Each year, bumper-to-bumper classic vehicles fill the Run to the Sun Car Show’s sizable event grounds. Spectators revel in the opportunity to get inside, outside and under-the-hood looks at some of the most iconic pre-1989 cars and trucks ever produced in America, such as vintage Ford Model T’s, beautifully restored GTOs and classic Trans Ams. More than $10,000 in cash and door prizes is up for grabs among participants and spectators, and vendors sell their auto-related wares at an accompanying swap meet. Perhaps even more appealing to the participating vehicle owners than the cash prizes — the event’s car and truck of the year are featured on the next year’s T-shirts, hats, plaques, and flyers, bestowing an honor that brings both pride and bragging rights!
While the nostalgia-inspiring display of cars featured at the event grounds is quite impressive, the heavy classic-car traffic also spills over onto Grand Strand area roadways — and especially onto “The Strip” in downtown Myrtle Beach — as vehicle owners spend substantial parts of the event’s three days cruising their prized possessions to and from the local hot spots. This makes for a particularly fun time for lovers of old automobiles to be in the Myrtle Beach area — and especially at Long Bay Resort, which sits right on the oceanfront on the northern end of The Strip and is an easy 8-minute drive from the event grounds.
The Run to the Sun Car Show is held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, and Friday, March 16, while the hours on Saturday, March 17, are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. City transit buses will run attendees between the nearby Broadway at the Beach shopping/dining/entertainment complex and the event grounds on each show day. For more information about entering or attending the show, visit http://www.peedeestreetrodders.com And f.or a great place to relax and recover when each show day is through, book your stay at Long Bay Resort today.