Sold Out Folly Pier Fest Celebrated the Opening of the Famous Folly Beach Pier--A Long-time Lowcountry Landmark

Like everything in this world, it aged. In one form or another, it has been around since the 1930s. It enjoyed many a good times during its long existence. However, day-to-day environmental stresses had weakened its bones, not to leave unmentioned the powerful calamities that pummeled it during those years. The old gent was finally forced to retire in 2020 but experienced a rejuvenation at the same time. Then on March 11, 2023, a party was held to celebrate its return to full physical glory. Locals know it as the Folly Beach Pier, but it is formally known as the Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The party was the Folly Pier Fest. It was a grand occasion.

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.

At the end, the Dave Landeo Band rocked the 7,500-square-foot diamond-shaped platform. It was a family affair as children of all ages and brave adults danced and spun to the encouragement of Dave Landeo and his fellow musicians, who tossed t-shirts and tambourines to onlookers while playing tunes like Sweet Caroline and Brandy mixed in a three-hour set of popular rock songs. A beautiful sunset and a colorful display of lights from the Tides hotel reflecting off the calm Atlantic surf were an added treat. It was a night of pure fun.

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.

Photographs by Anne-Merle Bryant

101 E. Arctic Ave.

Folly Beach, SC