‘I just love it here’: Myrtle Beach welcomes Canadian visitors for Can-Am Days

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - The Grand Strand has a long history of welcoming our friends from the north to Myrtle Beach, and the tradition continues.

Canadian tourists are taking part in a whole week of events in Myrtle Beach for the 63rd Annual Can-Am Days.

“I just love it here, you know, I’m relaxed. I love the walks and the fresh air and everything, we really enjoy it,” said Martha Steeves, who is visiting from New Brunswick. “We get away from all of the snow and the ice and everything.”

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Canadians like Steeves said they love taking trips to the Grand Strand, and Myrtle Beach locals feel the same way.

“Canadians are such an important part of our local economy and they’re such an important part of our small businesses and our hotels that we just appreciate them being here so much,” said Marlane White, spokesperson for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tina Hutchinson, who is visiting from Ontario with her four kids, said she remembers Can-Am days from visiting when she was young.

“I looked it up on the internet before we came, when planning our trip, just to see if this was still going on, and yeah, I wanted to introduce our kids to it,” Hutchinson said.

Steeves and her husband, Brian, said they have been coming to the Grand Strand since 2012, and they make new friends every time they come.

“We meet the same people every year and, plus, meet new friends every year as well,” Brian Steeves said. “We usually get together with the other Canadians we’ve met down here over brunch.”

This week is packed with a lot of popular Grand Strand traditions, like the Run to the Sun car show and the Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which are events that Canadian visitors can participate in.

“If you run into a Canadian, thank them for coming here, say, ‘Welcome, eh,’ and be part of the Can-Am days because we really appreciate them,’ White said.

The next Can-Am event on the schedule is a plaza party on Tuesday afternoon in front of Ripley’s Aquarium.

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