There has been some confusion in the wake of the announcement about Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson’s intentions to hold its Spring Cruisin’ the Coast motorcycle rally later in May.

But businesses instrumental in the May gathering would like to set the record straight: This isn’t a new, different rally, it’s a return to three weeks of rally activities.

“No one’s going to come for three weeks, clearly,” said Jamin’ Jamie Keats, who runs Jamin’ Leather. “If you want a nice, relaxed rally weekend, come the first weekend. If you want to see the old mayhem, come the second week. If you want to see the new mayhem, come the third week.”

That’s because the third week, from May 18-28, featuring Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson’s Spring Cruisin’ the Coast events, is going to push right up against Atlantic Beach Bike Fest, a sport-bike-oriented three-day event that has, in years past, drawn nearly as large a crowd as the Harley rally.

“The blending of these rallies is really exciting,” Keats said. “It’s going to create a whole new dynamic.”

Not everyone is so excited about it.

“I think it’s interesting,” said Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes. “We have asked people to help us do certain things, such as reducing the impact of the rallies on the residents, but it appears they want to do things their own way.

“I guess we will have to deal with issues as they come up.”

Rhodes said the City Council has not had the chance to discuss the planned changes yet, but will soon -- perhaps this week at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Questions had been circulating since Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson made its announcement Friday, with some people believing the dealership was trying to change the official rally dates.

“If you’ve heard rumors about Bike Week dates changing for Spring, don’t listen to them, they are incorrect. Spring Rally dates are May 11-20. MBHD is trying to arbitrarily change the dates to suit what they want, but we all know that Bike Week isn’t centered around the Harley dealership, it’s all about the babes, bars and burnouts in the south end,” was the Facebook post that came from SBB Original, one of the central venues for Harley rally events each year.

Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson is closed on Mondays during January, so no one there could be reached for comment.

But Keats posted an update on his website and spoke out on local radio Monday morning trying to clear up the questions.

“This is an extension of the rally with different venues and different entertainment schedules,” Keats said.

His site breaks down how organizers see the month of May:

• The first weekend, May 10-14, is viewed as “the light weekend.” No vendor permits are allowed that weekend, but businesses that cater to motorcycle enthusiasts and riders will offer live performances and celebrity appearances, some hangouts will extend their hours with food and drink specials, indoor contests, giveaways and a classic car show.

• The second week, May 15-20, is traditional Harley rally people have come to know. Businesses all around Horry County, from Little River to Murrells Inlet, will put on their big parties, according to Jamin Leather’s adjunct site, myrtlebeachrallies.com. This is when vendors will be allowed, and organizers plan new events as well. This weekend coincides with the Blue Crab Festival in Little River.

• The third portion, May 18-28, will begin with the Cruisin’ The Coast kickoff on May 18. That will include charity events, bike runs and many other events. “This week will be the busiest for the cruising rider with a majority of event locations to visit,” the website says.

Organizers are counting on being able to obtain some vending permits for the final 10 days, but that might not be possible.

Horry County, which must approve vendors for the Harley rallies and the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest, hasn’t been approached about changing the vendor dates, said county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier.

“The rally vending permits and dates have been posted on the county’s website for months, and unless the County Council chooses to make a change, those are the dates for which permits will be issued,” she said.

The expansion plans also put the 72nd annual Harley rally up against a variety of May events that are growing in popularity, including Myrtle Beach’s Military Appreciation Days.

But city spokesman Mark Kruea didn’t seem bothered.

“We have some visitors who happen to ride motorcycles, but there are no rally events in the city anymore,” he said. “The majority of calls I’ve received about the rally are from visitors who are trying to avoid it. They want to come here in May, but they don’t want to be affected by the noise and traffic of the rallies.”

A return to three weeks of Harley events, he said, is what the majority of residents here don’t want. Myrtle Beach voters re-elected the City Council members who enacted the city’s rally ordinances, and county voters chose Tom Rice, the spokesman for the anti-rally group Take Back May as their County Council chairman.

But Keats said the rallies focus on a specific demographic -- people who like motorcycles and enjoy this area for vacation.

“Who are we helping? Everyone,” he said, including restaurants, bars, hotels and the businesses that cater to motorcyclists and those who just like to be part of the rallies.

From a law enforcement standpoint, that last 10 days of Harley rally going right into the Bike Fest weekend could pose some problems.

But the S.C. Highway Patrol, at least, is taking a wait-and-see stance.

“We’re aware of it and what they are trying to do,” said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins. “We’re going to monitor it. There are no hard plans yet.”

Collins said the highway patrol won’t be able to plan for the possibility of additional staffing for an extra weekend until it is known if vendors will be given permits for the weekend.

“As it gets closer, we’ll evaluate it all,” he said.