You might not automatically associate our colder neighbor to the north with Myrtle Beach, but Canadian American Days (various venues, www.myrtlebeachinfo.com, free), or “Can Am,” brings tens of thousands of visitors of both nationalities to sites all over the Strand to enjoy a variety of musical and cultural events. Always on top of marketing opportunities, the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce makes sure this happens during Ontario’s spring holidays to ensure maximum north-of-the-border attendance. While most of the events have little or nothing to do with Canada itself, this is basically a great excuse for Canucks to get some Carolina sunshine.

The Spring Games and Kite Flying Contest (843/448-7881, free) brings an exciting array of airborne craft to the Strand in front of Broadway on the Beach on an April weekend as the springtime winds peak.

Also in April comes the area’s second-largest shag event, the Society of Stranders Spring Safari (www.shagdance.com). Several clubs in North Myrtle Beach participate in hosting shag dancers from all over for a week of, well, shagging.

The biggest single event in Myrtle Beach happens in May with the Spring Bike Rally (various venues, www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com, free), always known simply as “Bike Week.” In this nearly 70-year-old event, over a quarter million Harley-Davidson riders and their entourages gather to cruise around the place, admire each other’s custom rides, and generally party their patooties off.

While the typical Harley dude these days is getting on in years and probably a mild-mannered store manager in regular life, young or old they all do their best to let their hair down at this festive event.

Dozens of sub-events go on throughout the week at venues all over the Strand, from tough-man contests to “foxy boxing” matches to wet T-shirt contests. You get the picture. It’s not for the politically correct—or for young children.