Is Memphis in May still happening? Oh yes, 'city's biggest party' is back | Know Your 901
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Today's column asks:
What's up with this year's Memphis in May International Festival?
Judging from internet as well as actual words-coming-out-of-physical-mouths chatter, some people seem confused about the status of the 2024 edition of the Memphis in May International Festival.
The confusion is understandable — at least for those who have been paying only casual attention to the brouhaha/contretemps/feud/disagreement over Tom Lee Park that made adversaries of the Memphis in May organization, which has staged events at the once neglected riverfront gathering place since 1977, and the Memphis River Parks Partnership, which manages the redesigned park, which reopened in September.
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In short: After the River Parks Partnership dunned the organization for $1.4 million in damages to Tom Lee Park attributed to the wear and tear of Memphis in May's 2023 events, MIM said so long to Tom Lee. But be assured: The Memphis in May International Festival has not gone away, and will return next month, with France as its "honored country" and thematic focus.
"We're all set and it's going to be a lot of fun," said the organization's new CEO and president, Mack Weaver.
However, the festival won't take place in Tom Lee Park. And one of Memphis in May's signature events will be missing: The Beale Street Music Festival.
To lay it all out in bullet points:
The 46th edition of the festival's most distinctive event, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, promoted as "The Super Bowl of Swine," will take place May 15-18 in the old Fairgrounds area of Tiger Lane/Liberty Park, where the contest previously took place in 2022. As usual, colorfully monikered teams ("Rib Ticklers," "Holy Smokers," "Swine Lake Ballet") from all over America will compete, primarily in the categories of Ribs, Shoulder and Whole Hog; also, stages each night will offer live music and entertainment (including the annual "Ms. Piggy Contest"). The public, of course, is invited. For more information or for tickets or a festival pass, visit memphisinmay.org/wcbcctickets.
The festival's other major happening, the Memphis in May Great American River Run is set for May 25, with various routes (5K, 10K and 13-miles "half marathon") coursing through Downtown and along the river. The event is expected to attract close to 3,000 runners, and is designed "for all levels of runners, from elite athletes to beginning runners or family participants," according to Memphis in May. The routes end at AutoZone Park, which will play host to a huge post-race party. For more information and to register, visit memphisinmay.org/garr.
However, the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival, which typically occupies three days and multiple stages in Tom Lee Park, will not take place this year. To quote the Memphis in May website: "BSMF is being paused in 2024 to explore all options to present an event in the future that meets the standards and authenticity expected of the brand. Thank you for 46 incredible years of Beale Street Music Festival and your unwavering support."
Meanwhile, Mempho Presents, a local company that since 2017 has staged a fall music festival, has organized two essentially competing May events, which will take place in Tom Lee Park. The inaugural RiverBeat Music Festival, showcasing such acts as the Fugees, Jelly Roll and 8Ball & MJG, is set to run May 3-5, while the first "SmokeSlam," a Mempho-barbecue competition promoted as "The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown," will take place May 16-18 — pitting it directly against the Memphis in May barbecue contest. Tickets and more information can be found at memphopresents.com.
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But if 2024 is to a certain extent a year of reassessment for Memphis in May, the festival remains "our city's biggest party" and “authentically the heart and soul of Memphis," said Weaver, a 25-year veteran of the organization who was elected MIM head in January, succeeding longtime leader Jim Holt, who retired earlier in the month.
"There's something for everyone," he said, calling the events "perfect" weekend activity and "great entertainment for out-of-town guests."
For more information about the festival, its activities, its history and its mission, visit memphisinmay.org.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: When is Memphis in May 2024? Here's what's planned, from BBQ to a run
