Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach SC
Owned by country music star Dolly Parton, the Dixie Stampede Show and Dinner in Myrtle Beach is one of the city’s top family-oriented attractions. One of three such attractions in the country – the others are in Pigeon Forge, TN and Branson, Mo – Myrtle Beach’s Dixie Stampede is located on busy Kings Highway, the main road through town, and is situated in a beautiful Southern-style building that beckons visitors to come in and “set-a-spell.” The show is especially popular with those who love horses but is entertaining for every member of the family.
A ticket to the Dixie Stampede Show and Dinner buys visitors admittance to a pre-show as well as the main show and dinner. The pre-show, which begins about 50 minutes before the main arena opens, is held in the two-story Carriage Room, which resembles an old Wild West saloon. The entertainer on the stage is usually a comedian who specializes in physical comedy, such as juggling. While the audience enjoys pre-show drinks (some served in a mug resembling a boot!) and snacks, the entertainer keeps them involved and often invites audience members to climb on stage and help with tricks.
You can see the dinner here - there's a regular version and a vegetarian version, but both are good, traditional Southern meals - homemade biscuits, chicken, pork, potatoes, and corn on the cob if you're going with the regular one.
After the opening act, guests are invited to make their way to their pre-assigned seats in the 35,000 square foot arena where they’ll enjoy dinner and the main show. Immediately upon entering, guests are greeted by a costumed wait staff that is ready to serve them their utensil-free dinner. Guests sit at long tables that face the arena floor and are assigned seats in the North or South, a.k.a. the participants in the Civil War. The menu at Dixie Stampede includes a small whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked pork loin, creamy vegetable soup, a homemade biscuit, an herb-basted potato, buttered corn on the cob, and a dessert pastry. Unlimited Pepsi, tea, or coffee is also available throughout the evening. A vegetarian dinner is available upon request.
While enjoying dinner, the show begins. The show is basically a North-South competition thing, not so much focused on music as most of the other Myrtle Beach shows are, but more on performing, horse tricks, and that sort of thing. The North and South compete in things like chicken chasing, horse riding, magic tricks, and other friendly tests of skill. You can root for either side, and they bring the audience in on some of them. It is overall a great family event that people of all ages can enjoy (just don't expect to see Dolly - she sponsors it, but is not in the show). The 30-some horses at Dixie Stampede are the stars of the show but there are also plenty of costumed actors, dancers, and singers that add to the fun. You’ll also see some more unusual animals, like ostriches and even a few mighty buffalo. During parts of the show, some of the 1,000 guests are invited to be part of the action. At the end, either the North or South triumphs and takes the flag!
In late November, Dixie Stampede adds a Christmas-themed show, when the competition between the North and South involves the elves from the North and South Poles. Guests will see live camels lead the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem and will cheer when Santa arrives with a sleigh full of presents.
Dixie Stampede is open year round but fewer shows are offered in the winter months of January through March. The attraction warns people with severe allergies and asthma that the animal dander, hay, and dust from the show may aggravate these conditions, so people with these disorders should be forewarned.
The address of Dixie Stampede is:
8901-B Highway 17 North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
800-433-4401
You can see a schedule of upcoming shows and get tickets to them online here.
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