Festivals & Events
2014 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Opening Season
From the hotels and restaurants filling up to the snowbirds clearing out, the rites of spring are well under way on the Grand Strand. But perhaps no annual spring tradition has been more embraced by the community than Opening Day of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ baseball season.
The Class A minor-league franchise of the Texas Rangers will open the 2014 Carolina League campaign at 7 p.m. Thursday at TicketReturn.com Stadium on 21st Avenue North in Myrtle Beach across from Broadway at the Beach. A sellout crowd of approximately 6,000 is expected to see the Pelicans play the Salem Red Sox on a night and weekend filled with specials events and promotions.
On Thursday, traditional Opening Day ceremonies will see the ballpark decked out in bunting as the new team is introduced to the home crowd. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a 2014 schedule magnet and the players will hold a pre-game autograph session to meet and greet the fans.
For those who enjoy hot food and cold beer at the ballpark are in luck, especially since Opening Day happens to fall on Thirsty Thursday. In addition to the usual lineup of ballpark fare, such as hot dogs, nachos and chicken bog balls, the park will serve $1 draft beers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in a weekly promotion that draws large crowds to the games.
But baseball is for folks of all ages. Kids ages 12 and under are allowed to run the bases at the end of the game, sending the little ones home with a fresh coat of dirt stuck to their cotton candy-covered clothing and faces. Then the high-tech fireworks show blasts off about 10 minutes after the game.
For those who would prefer not to brave the largest crowd of the season on Opening Day, the remaining three games will feature fewer fans but still a full slate of activities. Friday is Harry Potter Night as fans compete in a costume contest of their favorite character from the book series.
Autograph sessions and kids run the bases also will be held at Friday and Saturday night’s 7 p.m. games. Saturday is also Superhero Night and post-game fireworks will once again light up the post-game sky. Sunday’s series finale is a 2 p.m. matinee and features a baseball gear giveaway to the first 1,000 kids through the gates.
