Halloween Hysteria: North Myrtle Beach's 'BooFest' Creates Thrills and Traffic Nightmares

North Myrtle Beach has inadvertently conjured one of South Carolina's most enchanting — and traffic-snarling — Halloween destinations. What began as a local celebration has blossomed into a regional phenomenon, drawing tens of thousands to its annual "BooFest" at Barefoot Landing. The jewel in this spooky crown is undoubtedly "Halloween City," a spectacle that transforms the shopping and entertainment complex into a vibrant, family-friendly wonderland.

However, with great popularity comes great...

traffic. The sheer volume of visitors flocking to experience the Halloween magic has created monstrous congestion, particularly along the busy Highway 17 Business corridor leading to Barefoot Landing. Locals and tourists alike have recounted tales of endless queues, frustrating delays, and even missed plans, overshadowing some of the festive joy.

In 2023, the traffic situation reached a critical point.

Roads became gridlocked, local businesses felt the pinch as patrons struggled to access their premises, and the overall experience for some visitors was marred by the logistical nightmare. It's a classic case of an event growing beyond its existing infrastructure's capacity, a bittersweet success for the city.

Recognizing the urgent need for a solution, the City of North Myrtle Beach, in close collaboration with Barefoot Landing management, is actively working to untangle this ghoulish gridlock.

Discussions are well underway for significant operational changes slated for the 2024 Halloween season. The goal is clear: preserve the magic of "Halloween City" while dramatically improving traffic flow and visitor access.

While specific plans are still being finalized, ideas under consideration include relocating or expanding parking areas further afield, implementing shuttle services to ferry attendees to and from the event, and potentially reconfiguring the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic within Barefoot Landing itself.

The emphasis is on proactive planning to ensure that next year's BooFest is not only thrilling but also smooth and stress-free for everyone.

The commitment from both city officials and Barefoot Landing to address these challenges head-on signals a positive outlook for the future. As "Halloween City" continues to grow its legacy as a premier Halloween destination, these upcoming changes promise to make the frightful fun accessible and enjoyable for all, ensuring that the only scares are the intentional ones.