According to the City of Folly, in the 1930s, the Pier, Atlantic Pavilion, Boardwalk, and Ocean Hotel were completed. The original Folly Pier was 120 feet wide and 97 feet long and was a green and white structure built with palmetto tree logs. In 1937, 15,000 people celebrated the 4th of July on the Folly Beach Pier. The pier drew famous entertainers and bands through its years, including Jerry Lee Lewis, The Drifters, and The Coasters.
In 1960, after a fire at the nearby Ocean Front Hotel, the pier and pavilion area reopened as the Ocean Plaza with amusement rides, shops, 1,700 feet of boardwalk, a roller-skating rink, and concessions. In January 1977, the pier burned, and arson was the suspected cause of the fire. The Folly Beach Pier and tackle shop was built in 1995 and opened on July 4. It reached its end due to deterioration in the wood pilings caused by marine borers. Reconstruction began in October 2020 to erect the new 25 feet wide, 1,049 feet long, 22 feet high pier with a 7,500-square-foot diamond-shaped platform at the end, which opened on December 26, 2022.
The Folly Pier Fest sold out. The pier's only eating establishment, Pier 101 Restaurant and Bar, was packed, as were many of the restaurants in this popular Lowcountry island beach town. Ticket holders were treated to a variety of amenities as they made their way toward the end of the pier. Stilted entertainers weaved their way through the crowd. Local musicians played tunes for tips at various locations, along with a trapezist on a ring.
The Folly Beach Pier is open daily for your enjoyment from 8 am to sunset throughout the year. The gift shop is open from 8 am to 30 minutes before sunset. Daily fishing is available from the pier, and rod rentals and bait can be rented for a fee. Two pier locations were slightly widened to 33 feet and covered, allowing additional space for fishing. There is a public parking lot at the pier for a fee, or if space allows, on-street parking is available free of charge and is first come, first serve.
4 comments:
Great article on the Pier Fest and it's history! You hit all the highlights! This would be a great event to happen monthly! Great meeting you!
What an info-packed, wonderful write up about this historical pier in Folly Beach. I always learn fun surprises from your posts, Vacay Rick!
Thank you very much, Unknown. Nice meeting you too.
Thank you very much for your good words, Sunshine.
Post a Comment