Parade draws crowd on Main

By John Smithson

You may not be a shagger or have mastered the steps that shag dancers perform, but after an hour parade down Main Street last Saturday, you have to admit that shaggers do have fun.

Saturday’s Parade was the climactic event in a week-long celebration known as SOS Spring Safari. As usual, the Society of Shaggers or SOS put a lot of thought and effort into this spring’s parade.

There were lots of Hall of Fame members saluted and floats from different shag clubs from all over the Carolinas. They were uniquely themed and populated by members who had gone all out to look like and act like the themes they had chosen for their clubs.

Riders on one float hopped off and performed as shag couples doing, well, the shag. There were also costumed shaggers dancing and performing as they walked or danced the parade route.

Awards were given for the best shagging troop, best club vehicle, most original theme and a small shag club award.

Hundreds of folks lined Main Street and South Ocean Boulevard to view the parade, and a contingent of young adults coming off the beach stopped to interact with the parade members and enjoy the parade activities.

A few photos accompany this story, but I am sure you can find videos and other photos “on line” to view the fun for yourself. If not, just wait for the next SOS week and join in the fun yourself. Maybe you can learn the dance that brings so many people to North Myrtle Beach each spring and fall for annual pilgrimages to shag.