Monday gives all of you - Republicans, Democrats, independents, even Naderites - a chance to meet the seven Democrats of Horry County.

Just head out past Conway and Aynor to tiny Galivants Ferry about 4:30 p.m.

I can guarantee that every one of the seven will be there, acting as if they numbered in the thousands. Some will even start speechifying about 6 p.m.

It's the biennial Galivants Ferry Stump Speaking, a hallowed tradition that stretches back to 1876, when Gen. Wade Hampton arrived on horseback to initiate his campaign for S.C. governor.

There may be just seven Democrats in Horry County, but there are at least twice that many left in the state.

And every single one of them will be at Monday's stump to bid farewell to retiring U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, who started his first statewide political campaign in Galivants Ferry exactly 50 years ago.

The Galivants Ferry Stump, for those who haven't been paying attention, was given a permanent spot in the Library of Congress in 2000, a part of the Library's Folk Archives Local Legacies collection.

Democrats are a friendly group and, as always, they welcome Republican politicians to their shindig; Republican Mark Sanford used to be a Stump regular before he became governor and got all busy with bicycling and stuff.

Republicans may be recognized from the podium (unless there are more than, you know, seven), but they are not allowed to speak. It's about the only rule that is strictly enforced.

Russell Holliday, who is co-chairman of the event for the Holliday family, squelched speculation that Sen. John Edwards, every S.C. Democrat's favorite son, would be a special guest speaker.

"The Kerry campaign has promised to send someone, but John Edwards was already scheduled to be somewhere else," she said.

No matter. There are still plenty of big-name speakers, all Democrats: U.S. Senate candidate Inez Tenenbaum, former Govs. Bob McNair and Jim Hodges; U.S. Reps. John Spratt and Jim Clyburn; Charleston Mayor Joe Riley Jr.; and, of course, Hollings.

For information, call (843) 358-3252.

ONLINE | For past columns, go to the Bestler page at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.