Press Releases

If you are national media interested in covering this event, please contact: Kimberly Miles, Public Relations Manager at Kimberly.Miles@VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

If you are local media interested in covering this event, please contact: Nancy Gray, Media Communications Manager at Nancy.Gray@VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

Canadian-American Days: 2009 Battle at the Beach Golf Tournament

Feb. 26, 2009

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – RBC Bank, presenting sponsor of Canadian-American Days, is accepting golf player registrations for the 2009 Battle at the Beach, the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup. Head Coach David Bennett, Coastal Carolina University football, will serve as the U.S.A. team captain. Players should register by Friday, March 13. For a registration form, visit CanAmDays.com.

The 2009 Battle at the Beach will be held Thursday, March 19, at the Pine Lakes Country Club. The format for the 18-hole tournament is four-person scramble. Known as the “Granddaddy,” the Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14. The concept for “Sports Illustrated” was developed at the Pine Lakes club house in 1950.

“Royal Bank of Canada views our presenting sponsorship as an ideal fit for community involvement,” said Steve Carter, marketing executive, RBC Bank. “We think of Canadians here as our ‘other locals,’ and the Battle at the Beach offers a great platform for a friendly competition between Canadians and Americans. We hope this will serve not only as a popular addition to Can-Am Days but also as a tradition for years to come.”

The cost of $100 per person or $350 per foursome includes the greens fee, cart, prizes, awards ceremony and food. Divine Dining Group and Damon’s Grill will provide food at all par-three holes, and Divine Dining will offer lunch. The day of the tournament, March 18, registration is 11 a.m., lunch is served 12 p.m. and tee time is 1 p.m. (shotgun start). Following the tournament, the awards ceremony will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Divine Dining, Damon’s and Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant.

Raffle tickets and mulligans will be sold. The grand raffle prize, sponsored by Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc., is a one-year membership to Pine Lakes golf course. Hadwin-White Pontiac Buick GMC Subaru will award a car for the first hole-in-one on No. 16. Door prizes and trophies will also be awarded. The RBC Cup, which will be presented to the winning Canadian or American team, will be displayed with the winning team’s national flag at the golf course.

All tournament profits, including raffle ticket and mulligans proceeds, will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven to benefit homeless families. “We selected Myrtle Beach Haven as the charity of choice because 97 percent of donations directly benefit families through temporary housing, health care and job assistance,” Carter said. “It’s important to keep families together during a crisis, and Myrtle Beach Haven is unique in its ability to do that.”

The tournament is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days festival, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events.

For more information about the tournament, contact Brett Calhoun, RBC Bank, at (843) 444-3800.

For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444.

Canadian-American Days: Free Concert Tickets Available

Feb. 20, 2009

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – RBC Bank is presenting the March 14 performance of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band. The concert is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days celebration, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events including free military band concerts.

The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 25 and are limited to two per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are additional details:

When: Sat., March 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Where: Surfside United Methodist Church, 800 13th Ave. N., Surfside Beach

Ticket pick-up: Surfside Beach Town Hall: 115 Hwy. 17 Business N., Surfside Beach; Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19.

For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444.

Canadian-American Days: Free Concert Tickets Available

Feb. 20, 2009

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – RBC Bank is presenting the March 15 performance of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band. The concert is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days celebration, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events including free military band concerts.

The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 26 and are limited to two per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are additional details:

When: Sat., March 15. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Where: Myrtle Beach Community Church, 3015 Theater Drive, Myrtle Beach (behind Fantasy Harbor off U.S. 501 adjacent to Hard Rock Park)

Ticket pick-up: Available at MBACC offices; office locations and hours of operation are:

• 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, (843) 626-7444
  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 3401 Hwy. 17 Business S., Murrells Inlet, (843) 651-1010
  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Call ahead for ticket availability after Feb. 26.

The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad.

For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444.

Celebrate 48th Annual Canadian-American Days March 14-22, 2009
Festival Features Events, Concerts and Discounts Throughout the Grand Strand

Feb. 10, 2009

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Once again the Myrtle Beach area is rolling out the red carpet for its visitors to the North during the destination’s annual Canadian-American Days. This year, from March 14-22, the Myrtle Beach area will welcome Canadian and American visitors with a line-up of fun events, giveaways, discounts and concerts taking place throughout the Grand Strand.

Canadian-American Days draws as many as 100,000 Canadian visitors and snowbirds from northern states. 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 in 1963 to Canadian-American Days. It is regarded as the first international festival organized in South Carolina.

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

“This year we welcome RBC Bank as presenting sponsor,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “RBC Bank has added excitement to Can-Am Days by introducing the Battle at the Beach golf tournament. The timing of the tournament coincides perfectly with the much-anticipated unveiling of the new Pine Lakes golf course.” The Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14.

The 48th Annual Canadian-American Days will offer a variety of events. Highlights include:

• 26th Annual National Shag Dance Championships, March 12-14 – This competition is especially fitting for the Myrtle Beach area, where the shag dance originated. The event showcases amateur and professional division dancers with more than 50 couples are expected to compete for the national title. Studebaker’s, Myrtle Beach. Admission $15-$25.
• 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band Concert, March 14 – The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19. Surfside United Methodist Church, Surfside Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 25 at the Surfside Beach Town Hall.
• 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, March 15 –The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. Myrtle Beach Community Church, Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 26 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
• 2009 RBC Bank Canadian-American Days Kickoff Celebration Expo, March 16 – This expo officially kicks off Can-Am Days and features exhibitors, musical entertainment, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. Free to the public.
• Out of Winter Into Spring: The Courage to Live Undivided, March 17-19 – Presented by Still Learning Inc., this retreat at the beach will renew the heart and spirit. Sea View Inn, Pawleys Island. Space is limited. $889 per person. Canadian currency accepted.
• 15th Annual South Strand Wildlife and History Day, March 18 – Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, exhibits and activities including birds of prey and reptile demonstrations and sea turtle and beachcombing programs. The Taste of Murrells Inlet, a culinary extension of the event, will boast specialties from some of the finest restaurants in the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. Event and park admission are free. Cost for food.
• 2009 Battle at the Beach, March 19 – Golfers are invited to participate in the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup, four-person scramble format. The tournament will take place at the just-renovated Pine Lakes golf course, known as “the Granddaddy.” Prizes will be awarded. All tournament profits will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven. Presented by RBC Bank and sponsored by Damon’s Grill, Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant and Divine Dining Group. Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach. Fee $100 per person, $350 per foursome.
• For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit CanAmDays.com for the most current information and event times. The MBACC reserves the right to make changes to festival events without notice.

Since 1938 the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community. The chamber serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.

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