Grand Strand Story

Downtown Myrtle Beach is preparing for two days of original music as the inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival opens Friday, November 13, and continues Saturday, November 14. Visit Myrtle Beach says the free event brings together more than 50 singer-songwriters, musicians and poets. ^{[1] [4]}

Friday’s kickoff party runs from 6 to 9 PM at Swig & Swine, 525 Broadway Street. The organizer’s schedule lists The Goofy Footers and Ocean Forest, along with a raffle and silent auction benefiting Backpack Buddies. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Saturday’s published program begins at 2 PM, with performances spread across downtown locations. Listed venues include Grand Strand Brewing Company, The Tasting Room on 9TH, Winna’s Kitchen, The Dolly Llama and Fresh Brewed Coffee House. The festival’s online schedule identifies the artists, stages and performance times. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

For families, the organizer lists a Kids Corner from 2 to 5 PM Saturday at First Methodist Church Myrtle Beach, 901 North Kings Highway. Instruments, activities and instructors are provided, according to the schedule, which says parents must remain with their children. ^{[2] [6]}

The Songs That Save Foundation presents the festival and says its proceeds benefit Backpack Buddies. That connects the music weekend with a local effort to provide food for children outside school hours. ^{[1] [5]}

Help 4 Kids, the organization behind Backpack Buddies, says the program delivers nearly 3,000 food packs each week to Horry County children. It describes the packs as child-friendly food designed to fit discreetly in backpacks and provide meals over the weekend. ^[5]

General festival admission is free and open to the public. Check the organizer’s current schedule before heading out for specific artists and locations; all times in this story are Eastern. ^{[2] [4]}