By Becky Billingsley

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, Myrtle Beach – Bill Jones stresses, “It’s not about me” and won’t allow his photo to be taken, but other merchants in the Myrtle Beach Super Block and Five Points areas think his work launching a new downtown festival is to be praised.

 

“Bill is a genius,” says John Farrelly, who owns Farlo’s Burrito Bar at 815 Main St. “This festival is really well organized.”

 

The 5 Points Super Fest, which is from noon to 8 p.m. in the parking lot behind Farlo’s, came together in two months.

 

Jones opened his tiny consignment shop called Cherry Elm at 534 Broadway St. in March. Disappointed by the amount of food traffic the area receives, he conceived the festival as a way to bring more customers to the west side of Kings Highway.

 

“We want to let tourists know on their way in, when they’re crossing 501, to give them a reason to stop before they get to the beach or on their way to Broadway at the Beach or House of Blues.”

 

Forrest Davis has owned the Howard Gallery at 532 Broadway St. for about a year, and he has been working with Jones to organize the festival.

 

“Bill got the business owners together,” Davis said Oct. 17 in his framing shop and art gallery.

 

Jones says he worked closely with staff from the City of Myrtle Beach to jump all the legal and permitting hurdles to get permission for the 5 Points Super Fest. The schedule of events indicates his business, Cherry Elm, is providing event services for the festival, and that Socastee High School and the South Carolina Special Kid Sponsor Program will benefit from festival proceeds. 

 

The day will be filled with food, music and booths from local stores. There is no admission fee, Prime Ticket is giving children free Sno-Cones, there will be a beer tent and each vendor will determine their own prices.

 

Food vendors include:

 

Farlo’s Burrito Bar – Burritos and other Mexican cuisine

 

Bombay at the Beach – Indian cuisine

 

Gem City Pizza – Pizza and calzones

 

Cherry Elm – Popcorn and lemonade

 

Club Pulse – Wings, corn dogs, fries and chicken bog

 

Rainbow House – Pretzels, fried brownies and funnel fries

 

The Tavrne – Chicken roll-ups and springrolls

 

Black Thai – Eggrolls, rice and chicken

 

Redi-et Ethiopian Cuisine – Vegetable and beef dishes

 

Farmers Market – Boiled peanuts

 

Tropical Bar & Grill – Empanadas

 

Fresh Brewed Coffee House – Coffee

 

Luna Blue – Chicken

 

Bodo’s German Restaurant – Bratwurst and other German cuisine

 

L&G Café – Gluten-free and vegan dishes

 

El Azteca – Mexican cuisine

 

The Hand Burger – Burgers, chips and sodas

 

Pizza Shak – Chicken Alfredo, soup and cannoli

 

Lola’s Country Cooking – Ribs, turkey wings and collard greens

 

Caribbean Island Grill – Caribbean cuisine

 

Sons of Italy Lodge No. 2662 – Meatball sliders and sausage

 

BLU – Frozen desserts

 

Danny’s BBQ – Barbecue

 

Wee-R-Sweetz – Sweet treats

 

Several other businesses and groups will have booths, from consignment shops and a security firm to the Myrtle Beach Speedway and Tao Massage & Spa. A kids’ zone will offer a bounce house, face painting, games such as a Hula Hoop contest and mascots. Scheduled musicians include Brian Roessler, Mammalfish, DJ Adam and more.

 

Free parking is along 8^th and 9^th avenues north, and parking at the Pavilion parking garage is $5. The 5 Points Super Fest site is behind the businesses on the north side of Main Street, near the intersection of Main Street and Kings Highway. 

 

If the day goes well, Bill Jones says he would like to have more such festivals.

 

“If it’s a success, we’ll do whatever the city permits,” he said. “If that’s annual, okay. After talking with the other business owners, we’d like to do it four or five times a year.”

---