Horry County has abundant natural beauty and a climate that encourages four seasons of outdoor activities. A great place to enjoy it all is oceanfront Myrtle Beach State Park, with 312 acres of natural terrain. It is the first state park opened to the public in South Carolina. The park includes camping facilities, cabins, picnic areas, a 730-foot pier, nature trail and nature center. There is even a park naturalist who conducts activities and presents tours on the area's natural history. This is a wonderful place for surf fishing, pier fishing, or just taking in the splendor of the Lowcountry scenery. Tours of the sixty-mile Grand Strand region are available both by land and water, and feature spectacular scenes and historic spots (including old rice fields and plantations, and the remains of early settlements). This is a great way to learn about the rich heritage of the area and enjoy the great outdoors. The Grand Strand is home to many species of wildlife, including endangered species like the Southern Bald Eagle and the American Peregrine Falcon. The Loggerhead Turtle, Humpback Whale, and Florida Manatee are also found here in area waters. Events and Festivals:  Horry County has an abundance of annual events including the Sun Fun Festival, Rivertown Jazz Festival, Little River Blue Crab Festival, Octoberfest, the Loris Bog-Off, Dickens Christmas Show and Festivals, South Carolina Bluegrass Festival, Myrtle Beach Marathon, and the annual Taste of the Town culinary event. (For a monthly calendar of festivals and events, consult the resources and web sites in links and contacts). In addition to our annual festivals, area churches and groups sponsor events throughout the year. Organizations:  The region's spirit of community shines through in Horry County's clubs and organizations. There is a high level of citizen involvement in everything from local government to natural preservation. Large organizations such as the United Way and the American Heart Association are active, as are groups like the Rotary and the Jaycees. Special interest and hobby groups are numerous, with interests ranging from garden clubs to sailing associations. Environmental Consciousness: The Horry County Solid Waste Authority provides economical and environmentally sound integrated solid waste solutions for the people of Horry County. The programs they have developed have been recognized for their excellence, like the award-winning recycling education program within the Horry County school system. They operate 19 recycling centers within the county and conduct tours of the facilities, such as the material recycling plant. There are also a number of environmental groups in the area interested in issues such as preserving the integrity of the region's natural ecosystem.

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