SPRING BREAK IN MYRTLE BEACH: PARTY AT THE MARKET COMMON

Spring break in Myrtle Beach is about sun, fun, golf and partying.

This April, party central is The Market Common, located on the old Air Force base on the south end of Myrtle Beach between Hwy 17 Bus. & Hwy 17 Bypass.

No, it's not a mall. You won't be trapped inside itching to get out.

Trust me. If you like to eat, you need to find this culinary oasis. From Chinese-chic P. F. Chang's to the cool micro-brewery Gordon Biersch -- you won't find anything like these eateries anywhere else in Myrtle Beach.

You want atmosphere? The Market Common's got it. This beautiful little mini-town seems to have just popped up out of vacant fields, all shiny and new. Its buildings link together to form a stylish cityscape of shops, retaurants, wide sidewalks and comfortable park benches.

Locals started flocking to The Market Common shortly after it opened for business last spring. Lots of events lured them in. Now, with tourist season gearing up, locals expect to be joined by a steady stream of out-of-towners.

To launch the season with a bang, The Market Common will host its first birthday bash on April 4. They're rolling out the red carpet for visitors, so stop by and partake of the celebration. Most of it's free.

Here's the lineup of activities: at 4:00 p.m. everything gets off and running with family-friendly stuff like face painting, carriage rides, and some guy who bills himself as Mr. Wonderful the Magician. If that's not enough to tickle your fancy, look for an artist drawing caricatures and a juggler roaming the streets. But don't get freaked by the living statue while you're scarfing free food from the little town's very own “Taste Of The Market Common.”

Like all good parties, this one will end with a blast as the skies light up with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

After a day laying on the beach or chasing errant shots around the links, wouldn't it be nice to cap off your Saturday with a trip to The Market Common? After that, you'll really have something to talk about when you get home.

Check it out: www.MarketCommonEvents.com.