North Myrtle Beach has replaced its popular beachfront inflatable waterslide HIPPO with TRIPPO, which offers three sliding chutes and is the first of its kind in operation in the United States.

The waterslide is about 40 feet tall and weighs 7,000 pounds. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Ride ticket rates are as follows:

Single ride – $3

4 rides $10

Daily pass $20

Weekly pass $60

Individual season pass $65

Family season pass (4 people standard) $185.

Group rates are also available by calling Lauren Richardson at (843) 280-5674 or Mark Horton at (843) 798-1071. Cash, checks, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted.

The Legacy Tribute Band will perform for free Thursday night at the Horseshoe from 7 to 9 p.m. The group is known for its Motown and soul-style music.

The 6th annual Myrtle Beach Zombie Walk is April 28, in which participants dress in their gory best as they walk for charity. It’s not your typical beach activity, but it might be worth checking out, if only for the photos ops. This year, all the registration fees will be donated and split between Project Lighthouse and Wounded Warriors Project.

Registration ($5) starts at 11 a.m. at the House of Blues, and the walk starts at 6 p.m. at Barefoot Landing. There will be two stages of live music, and artists will be on hand until 5:30 p.m. to do makeup. Kids will have their own set of activities, too. Get more details at http://www.myrtlebeachzombiewalk.com/.

Mini golfing is one of North Myrtle Beach’s most popular spring family activities, and there are plenty of putt-putt courses close to our homes and condos.

Mayday Mountain

Just call it “Lost: The Golf Course”; Mayday Mountain features a lush, tropical course built around a (fictional) plane crash. Visit maydaygolf.com for details.

Love food tastings and outlet shopping? Do both on April 21st at Tanger Outlet’s second annual “Spring Sensation: A Taste of Tanger, sponsored by the American Culinary Federation‘s North Myrtle Beach chapter.

Purchase a wristband to sample salads, desserts, breads and non-alcoholic drinks from more than 20 local restaurants. The first 150 guests will also receive a coupon book and can get a gift, from Shopper Services, with a purchase.

Purchase advance wristbands at a discount; adult wristbands are $11.55 and children are $6.30. At the door, wristbands for adults and children are $12 and $7, respectively.

Who says you have to end a vacation with the same amount of family members that you started with? Head to the Mardi Gras–themed pet expo at The X Sports Complex Feb. 24 and adopt a cat or dog!

The event, hosted by several local animal shelters, will also feature a pet/owner Mari Gras costume contest, a demonstration by Sunny Dogs Trainin Co., vendors, food, a 50/50 raffle and face painting.

Don’t forget: Vacation Rentals of North Myrtle Beach has several pet-friendly homes and condos available if you want to bring your newest family member with you on vacation next year.

The Grande Dunes Resort’s golf course was voted the 19th best public golf course in South Carolina. Book a stay here in April and receive a lodging special!

We are offering a spring special for golfers: $30 per person per day (plus taxes and fees) and one free round of golf per reservation when they book one of our homes and condos in April! The North Myrtle Beach area is home to some of the best golf courses in the country, and we have some great properties that will allow you to stay as close to the links as you want.

 You can find the details in our press release published today.

Image via flickr user Randy Pertiet. Used under Creative Commons licensing.

Reports the Charlotte Observer:

The pier planned by a local businessman would have a four-story building that likely would house a restaurant. It would be located in North Myrtle Beach not far from the Cherry Grove pier.

The new pier would be the first built on the Grand Strand in about 20 years.

The new pier would be the ninth in the area. We’ll keep you posted on the details!

Take a break from winter by traveling to NMB for this annual shag dance fest Jan. 18–20. As in past years, the dance clubs up and down Main Street will be open to amateurs and pros alike. We’re even offering a special for it: Book our 2BR/1BA condo Sea Villas for the event and receive 20% off the rate!

Are you a NMB-area band or singing group looking to perform this holiday season? Myrtle Beach Mall is looking for talent for its Sounds of the Season series, running Nov. 25–Dec. 24.

Each day’s Sounds of the Season performance will be highlighted on the events page of Myrtle Beach Mall’s website and announced on Easy 105.9/100.7.

Interested? Click “like” on Myrtle Beach Mall’s Facebook page and post your request.

Myrtle Beach’s Fall Bike Rally is happening all this week, Oct. 1–7. It’s South Carolina’s largest motorcycle event, so sign up now for a guided poker run! If you’re not into biking, then check out one of the many food and drink specials local eateries are offering in honor of the rally.

The 9th annual Irish Italian International festival is next Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The one-day, rain-or-shine event will feature food from local restaurants, two stages of live entertainment, street performers, arts and craft vendors, and dance groups. All food, merchandise and entertainment will embody the Irish Italian theme, and festival goers can even participate in a spaghetti eating contest.

Admission is free; check out the city’s event site for more details.

Hundreds of shaggers will be migrating (see what we did there?) to North Myrtle Beach for the Society of Stranders fall dance festival this September. Although you’ll be able to dance your heart at one of the many dance clubs and lounges along Main Street, you won’t want to miss the event’s two big block parties on Fun Sunday and Fun Monday. They’ll feature food, music, merchandise and, of course, dancing.

SOS has a list of dates on their website. Don’t forget that we have plenty of homes and condos close to Main Street!

Spend the last long weekend of summer in North Myrtle Beach. There will be plenty of stuff to do, so you can close out the season right. See just a sampling of events below:

Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival (8/31–9/2): This event at the Market Common features a beer garden, arts and crafts exhibitors and live entertainment. Bring the whole family, or drop the kids off at the Kids’ Zone to explore on your own.

Labor Day Fireworks at Barefoot Landing (9/1): Starting at 10 p.m., the shopping and entertainment complex will put on a fantastic fireworks show over the lake. There will also be fireworks at Broadway at the Beach at 10 p.m., and on Sunday after the Pelicans baseball game.

Beers, Brews and BBQ (9/2): Starting at 5 p.m., the free event at House of Blues will feature an assortment of local BBQ items and specialty craft beers for purchase like $3 bottles and $4 drafts.

World Amateur Golf Championship (8/27–8/31): Take an extra long weekend and catch the tail end of this tournament on Friday. The biggest perk is the 19th Hole, billed as “equal parts…clubhouse, grill, exhibition and party” on the event’s website.

We’re not sure how attending an all-day outdoors event will help you stay cool, but La Belle Amie Vineyard‘s Beat the Heat Music Fest seems like a fun idea anyway.

Music by The Renovation Band and Joan Burton starts at noon and go until 5 p.m. Smokin’ Pitt BBQ will provide food, and wine tastings will be available all day, with a vineyard tour at 2:30 p.m.

Admission is $5, but people under 18 or over 80 can get in for free. Additionally, bring a canned or dried food item for a local food bank and receive $3 off admission.