Tigers and panthers jumped on the Myrtle Beach scene. Why mascots were in Myrtle Beach

While jumping on a trampoline with a live tiger would be terrifying, doing so with a mascot is much safer and more enjoyable for all in the fall.

Myrtle Beach residents and their kids were able to do so recently during an Aug. 10, 2024, meet-and-greet with university mascots at the Myrtle Beach Sky Zone, the center posting photos of the gathering on Facebook. Mascots at Sky Zone included The Tiger from Clemson University, Roary the Panther from Florida International University, Mr. Wuf from North Carolina State and other costumed critters.

A growing industry in the Myrtle Beach area made it possible for the mascots to leave their natural habitat of the sideline cheering on their teams and trek to the Grand Strand area. Local kids met the mascots because the Myrtle Beach Convention Center hosted the National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance Combo College Camp August 9 and 10, 2024, which featured contests for university squads.

Marketing Manager Rebecca Fagin said it’s the second year the Myrtle Beach area Sky Zone has hosted the event. She added that about 100 people attended the event, which was open to the public.

“It’s somewhat of a novelty and really a fun, unique experience, especially with having so many different schools and colleges represented in one place,” Fagin said.

The convention center frequently hosts sports tourism events as part of its business. It will be the location of the South Carolina Special Olympics in September 2024 and the 2024 Showstopper Dance Convention in November.

Sports Tourism is also growing in the Myrtle Beach area, not just the convention center, which the City of Myrtle Beach owns . According to the city, sports tourism generated more than $174 million in direct spending in the local economy in 2023, a close to 13 percent increase from 2022.