As the calendar turns and the weather starts to warm, it can only mean one thing: Memphis in May is on the horizon, and with that comes another opportunity to bring the world to Memphis, and Memphis to the world!
Started in the early 1970s, the very first Memphis in May was created to celebrate Memphis’s bicentennial, among other things. What started as a small festival with a budget of $52,000 has now grown into a multi-million-dollar celebration that is recognized as one of the leading municipal festivals in North America.
The very first country to be honored was Japan. This year, the Czech Republic will be honored during the month-long celebration.
Beale Street Music Festival
The Beale Street Music Festival has been an integral part of the Memphis in May celebration since 1977. Hosting in Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis, it has grown to a three-day, four-stage extravaganza. In 2018, the festival will kick off the Memphis in May event schedule on Friday, May 4. Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, Erykah Badu, Ludacris and Incubus are just a few of the over 60 acts that will perform.
International Salute to the Czech Republic
The Memphis in May International Festival International Week will commence following the Beale Street Music Festival on Monday, May 7. During the week, there will be numerous special events throughout Memphis; all concentrated on increasing awareness of the Czech Republic and their culture. Indie Memphis will be celebrating Czech cinema with special screenings throughout Memphis. Czech chef Zdenek Pohlreich will be the featured chef for an evening of Czech cuisine at Chez Philippe on May 12. All over Memphis, award-winning performers, chefs, lecturers and exhibits will put the Czech Republic in the spotlight.
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
On May 16, the eyes of the world barbecue community will turn to Memphis for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (WCBCC). For four days, hundreds of teams from around the country and the world will come to Memphis to compete in one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions.
In addition to the competition, there will also be cooking demonstrations, a chance to sample some of the award-winning barbecue, and more. It all takes place in Tom Lee Park along the banks of the Mississippi River.
901Fest
Wrapping up this year’s Memphis in May celebration will be the 901Fest, taking place on Monday, May 26. 901Fest celebrates everything awesome about living in Memphis, from the local breweries to the local musicians. The party’s going on all day on Monday, May 26. Celebrate your Memorial Day with Memphis at large, complete with lots of food and fun. The 33 acres of Tom Lee Park will host four performance stages and there will be an air show complete with a 767 flyover. You can bounce the night away from 4 pm to 8 pm in the knockerballs area and end the day with a Memphis-themed fireworks display over the Mississippi River.
Memphis is a culturally diverse and interesting place to live all year-round, but especially in the spring. Get out and enjoy Memphis in May this year, and find out what living here is all about!
