August 2009

Coastal Carolina Destinations Magazine

By Sean Patrick Smith

It’s not so farfetched to call the founder of The Carolina Opry the man who really brought Christmas entertainment to the Grand Strand. When Gilmore opened the Carolina Opry in 1986, there was no holiday entertainment market to speak of that could entice people to the area in the drab days of fall and winter.

That first year, the original plan was to close the theater over the holidays.  Instead, it was decided to put some music together and create a simple show that celebrated the spirit of Christmas.  “That first year, our show was held over two weekends,”…