The Sun Fun Festival

Myrtle Beach is a wonderful way to enjoy a family vacation. Located in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is a whimsical place for to get away, whether you want to enjoy a vacation with your family, or you are interested in time alone. Although it is well known for its golf and its wild nightlife, one of the main attractions of Myrtle Beach is The Sun Fun Festival.

The Sun Fun Festival of Myrtle Beach was first started in 1951 as a way to celebrate the beginning of the tourist season in the seaside community. Parades and family oriented events helped draw crowds to the beach and the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. Early events included Human Checker Board games and other crazy events. Things were further spiced up when they made a local "law" requiring everyone to wear shorts or a bathing suit. Those who did not abide by The Sun Fun Festival law were actually required to pay a fine. Although this sounds ridiculous, it was actually for a good cause because the funds went to help build the area's first hospital, the Ocean View Memorial Hospital.

Soon after the festival began, beauty contests became one of the main events of the Fun Festival. In 1952, the first Miss South Carolina pageant was held at the Pavilion. The American crime fiction author, Mickey Spillane was one the judges, which gathered crowds from all over. Long sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic Sun Tan Lotions, the festival now includes Miss Sun Fun and Miss Bikini Wahine, which also draws in people from all over. The important qualities looked for in Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA are poise, personality, photogenic ability, and the capability to talk to people she may meet in a professional manner about our beautiful Grand Strand Area.

Miss Sun Fun and Miss Bikini Wahine represent the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the member businesses, and the Grand Strand throughout their reign. They travel to festivals, consumer trade shows, legislative events, regional and international areas on promotional trips, and participate in many local festivities. The two beauty queens are helpful for the community and deal with the festival guests personally as well. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Bikini Wahine answer questions at promotional receptions and functions. They also talk to the guests and answer questions about the Sun Fun Festival and the Grand Strand Area. Additionally, the women’s pictures are used in Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce publications as well.

The Sun Fun Festival is a federally trademarked name owned by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Hawaiian Tropic provides the scholarships and products for each contestant. The first Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA pageant was held in the year two thousand and five, preliminary to the Miss South Carolina USA and Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageants. The event is a great way to bring people together, raise money for a good cause, and enjoy Myrtle Beach aesthetics.

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