Myrtle Beach took center stage last night as the six top Republican Presidential contenders debated at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and broadcast live by Fox News. Traffic ground to a standstill around the Convention Center, and we heard reports of several local businesses, including the Wachovia Bank branch down the block on Oak Street, closing early on Thursday in anticipation of the crowd.

Welcoming the candidates was what can best be described as an only-in-Myrtle-Beach sand sculpture shown below.
An overview of the massive sculpture… Click on it for a bigger image.

Close-ups from left to right… Click on any picture for a bigger image.

The Democratic Candidates will be in town debating on January 21st.