Day at the beach

Photos by Sean Rayford for Getty Images

Just after one a.m. on Sunday morning I climbed to the third floor balcony at the Happy Holiday Motel as guests gathered to watch the excitement below on N. Ocean Blvd. First responders attended to a wounded man, bleeding from his foot as dozens of law enforcement swarmed the area. Both blue and red flashes lit up the nearby hotels, revealing others gathered on their balconies.

Eleven hours and forty minutes before, I was across the street making photos of Happy Holiday guests at check-in. And five and a half hours prior, I was across the street photographing folks outside the Budget Inn, next door to the Happy Holiday. Here’s 20 photos from Saturday on Memorial Day weekend, with pandemic restrictions loosened, and visitors flocking to the summer vacation hot spot - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

To see more photos from Saturday, or to license an image: Americans Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend At Myrtle Beach

8:40 a.m. - Second Ave. Pier

8:40 a.m. - Second Ave. Pier

11:12 a.m. - Ninth Ave.

11:12 a.m. - Ninth Ave.

12:01 p.m. - Ninth Ave.

12:01 p.m. - Ninth Ave.

1:50 p.m. - Happy Holiday Motel - 500 Block of N. Ocean Blvd.

1:50 p.m. - Happy Holiday Motel - 500 Block of N. Ocean Blvd.

2:48 p.m. - Second Ave. Pier

2:48 p.m. - Second Ave. Pier

3:24 p.m. - Pier 14 - 1400 Block of N Ocean Ave

3:24 p.m. - Pier 14 - 1400 Block of N Ocean Ave

4:32 p.m. - 1400 Block Boardwalk

4:32 p.m. - 1400 Block Boardwalk

7:40 p.m. - Budget Inn - 500 Block of Ocean Blvd.

7:40 p.m. - Budget Inn - 500 Block of Ocean Blvd.

7:48 p.m. - Ninth Ave. beach access

7:48 p.m. - Ninth Ave. beach access

7:55 p.m. - N. Ocean Blvd. and Ninth Ave.

7:55 p.m. - N. Ocean Blvd. and Ninth Ave.

7:59 p.m. - 900 Block of N. Ocean  Ave.

7:59 p.m. - 900 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

8:17 p.m. - 900 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

8:17 p.m. - 900 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

9:57 - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

9:57 - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

10:06 - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

10:06 - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

10:11 p.m. - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

10:11 p.m. - 1200 Block of N. Ocean Ave.

1:09 a.m. - Happy Holiday Motel - 500 Block of Ocean Blvd.

1:09 a.m. - Happy Holiday Motel - 500 Block of Ocean Blvd.

1:40 a.m. - 600 Block of N. Ocean Blvd.

1:40 a.m. - 600 Block of N. Ocean Blvd.

1:52 a.m. - Sixth Ave. N and Chester St.

1:52 a.m. - Sixth Ave. N and Chester St.




Sean Rayford