H 5107

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5107
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
Recalled
March 11, 2026
H. 5107
Introduced by Reps. Schuessler, Alexander,
Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach,
Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey,
Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard,
Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch,
Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon,
Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers,
Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson,
J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger,
Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel,
McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan,
Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese,
Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M.
Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters,
Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow
S. Printed 3/11/26--S.
Read the first time February 10, 2026
________
A concurrent RESOLUTION
To dedicate the City of Conway in Horry
County as the Holiday Capital of South Carolina.
Whereas, the
City of Conway, located in Horry County, is one of South Carolina's oldest and most
significant communities with a nationally recognized historic downtown that
offers an authentic and immersive setting for public celebrations. It's
tree-lined streets, preserved architecture, and walkable core provide an ideal
backdrop for year round destination-quality holiday programming; and
Whereas, over
the past several years, Conway has earned statewide recognition for its
exceptional holiday celebrations, seasonal décor, and festive programming that
have become central to the city's cultural and economic life. These initiatives
include large-scale public art installations, immersive downtown environments,
themed markets, parades, concerts, and family friendly celebrations tied to
major holidays and seasons. While Conway's Halloween festivities have become
its most visible and widely recognized example, it is part of a broader and
deliberate strategy to activate the downtown year round through high-quality
experiences; and
Whereas,
Conway's dedication to preserving historic spaces while transforming them into
vibrant holiday destinations creates a welcoming and memorable experience for
all who visit generating regional and national media attention and attracting
visitors beyond the local region. Local businesses, hospitality providers, and
civic organizations credit these efforts with increased visitation, extended
stays, and enhanced community pride; and
Whereas, Conway's
holiday programming and seasonal attractions have generated significant
economic benefits, welcoming some 2.8 million visitors in 2025. In October
alone, more than 472,000 visitors came to experience Halloween-related events
such as "Boo-Jangles," with another 270,000 visitors in December for its
"Bo-Jingles" celebration. These numbers directly correlate to a citywide
increase in hospitality fee collections and higher restaurant sales, tangible
gains that directly support essential public services and infrastructure
improvements that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
In addition, social media influencers regularly travel to Conway during each
holiday season, using the city as a backdrop to build their platforms while
extending Conway's reach to regional and national audiences at no cost to
taxpayers; and
Whereas, the
city's holiday programing has produced outcomes rarely seen in communities of
similar sizing. Commercial vacancies have been effectively eliminated
throughout the downtown and are now minimal across the entire city, a direct
result of consistent foot traffic, strong branding, and private sector
confidence. Businesses now plan annual operations and staffing around the
city's holiday seasons rather than relying solely on the traditional summer
peak; and
Whereas, Conway's
holiday programming offers experiences for all ages, cultures, and backgrounds,
from family-oriented celebrations to immersive artistic installations. The city
actively partners with schools, churches, civic organizations, local
businesses, and the Latino community to ensure broad participation and shared
ownership of events; and
Whereas, designation
of Conway as the Holiday Capital of South Carolina would serve as a statewide
marketing asset, promoting the Palmetto State's tourism, hospitality, and arts
sectors. It also would encourage other municipalities to pursue complementary
seasonal programming, strengthening cultural tourism and economic vitality
across the state. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by
the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members
of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, dedicate the City
of Conway in Horry County as the Holiday Capital of South Carolina.
Be it further
resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Conway Mayor Barbara Jo
Blain and City Administrator Adam Emrick.
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This web page was last updated on March 11, 2026 at 08:54 PM