Labor Day was designed to give hardworking Americans one last taste of summer with a three-day weekend, and those who take advantage of the time off by vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can let their taste buds work overtime.
The Seventh Annual Coastal Uncorked Food, Wine and Spirits Festival, a celebration of food and beverage on the Grand Strand, is scheduled for Sept. 1-3 at Broadway at the Beach. Featuring three days of food- and drink-themed festivities designed to delight your palate and send out summer with a delicious bang, the event also offers live music, vendors and other entertainment.
Known locally as the culinary event of the season, Coastal Uncorked celebrates the Grand Strand's deep and diverse restaurant and hospitality industry by displaying the culinary talents of some of the area's top chefs and bartenders. Held at the Pavilion Park Central section of Broadway at the Beach, Coastal Uncorked attracts a nice mix of people to match the menu.
Guests at The Caribbean Resort & Villas on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront are in a particularly good position to enjoy Coastal Uncorked. The festival is held just one mile inland from the resort, a straight shot down 29th Avenue North, so guests are an easy commute from smelling the aromas of the creative cuisine and hearing the good times. Here's a look at the schedule:
* Friday, Sept. 1: Chocolate never tasted so sweet and moonshine never tasted so smooth as at the kickoff party to Coastal Uncorked. Back by popular demand, the Chocolate Under the Moon event allows the area's top bartenders and pastry chefs to show how creative they can get with the two highlighted ingredients. Bartenders will showcase their best drink recipes in the Moonshine Mixology Competition, while Johnny D's Waffles & Bakery will show off its tastiest chocolaty treats. Live music will also be on hand for the event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25.
* Saturday, Sept. 2: Beer lovers and carnivores come together for a special celebration of cold beer and hot meat at the Brews 'N the Beach Craft Beer Event. Featuring a wide variety of craft beers from all over the region, state and country, Brews 'N the Beach brings them together under one tent for a tasting session and live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Microbreweries send their regular brews and seasonal selections to Myrtle Beach to share their concoctions with festival-goers, and Boar’s Head Provision Company will provide its high-end hot dogs. Last year's Brews 'N the Beach featured more than 75 different beers available in tasting-sized portions, and the event keeps getting bigger every year. Tickets are $25, which includes tasting samples and a souvenir glass.
* Sunday, Sept. 3: Coastal Uncorked saves its best event for last with the Grand Wine Tasting Event, which features wines from around the world and signature deli trays, hors d’oeuvres and charcuterie from Boar’s Head. Featuring award-winning wines from some of the top vineyards in the world as well as small but acclaimed craft wineries, the Grand Wine Tasting Event lets the good times roll with live music and entertainment, and the good wines pour with free samples for patrons. Tickets are $25, and the event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.
For Caribbean Resort & Villas guests interested in attending all three events, weekend passes are available for $70. Advance tickets may be purchased at eventbrite.com.
