Memorial Day in Memphis: 10 things to do over the weekend
From ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers to concerts and cookouts, the Memorial Day weekend is packed with events in the Memphis area.
Here are 10 things to do this weekend.
The Great American River Run
When: 7 a.m. Saturday
Place: Tom Lee Park
Details: https://www.memphisinmay.org/events/great-american-river-run/run-info/
Held by Memphis in May, anyone can participate in the half marathon or 5K that traverses through Downtown Memphis and along the Mississippi River with live entertainment along the run. After the run, participants can enjoy some local food, brew and live music to celebrate their victory to the finish line.
Celebrate Memphis
When: Gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday
Place: Tom Lee Park
Details: https://www.memphisinmay.org/events/celebrate-memphis/
Memphis turns 200 this year, and Memphis in May planned a whole day of food, fireworks, a drone light show and even an air show performed by the All Veteran Group Parachute Team. Among the musical acts scheduled to perform are Lucero and Al Kapone. Memphis will also attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest picnic table.
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Friends of the Library Book Sale
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Place: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.
Details: http://www.memphislibrary.org/support/friends/book-sales/
Friends of the Library are hosting a Spring Book Sale at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library where all the books, sheet music, CDs and more cost $2 or less. They also will have free popcorn, food trucks and facepainting. All proceeds go to Memphis Public Libraries.
Bluff City Jazz at the Shell
When: 1-9 p.m. Saturday
Place: Levitt Shell
Details: https://www.overtonpark.org/events/bluff-city-jazz-at-the-shell
Artists who have inspired the jazz scene and influenced a culture will perform at Levitt Shell. The jazz festival will have a number of national smooth jazz artists, along with food, drinks, music and mingling.
Memorial Day weekend cookouts at AutoZone Park
When: Gates open at 3:45 p.m. Sunday
Place: AutoZone Park
Details: https://www.milb.com/memphis/tickets/memorial-day
AutoZone Park's Mid-South Heroes Weekend offers an all-you-can-eat buffet of hamburgers and hot dogs while commemorating veterans with some baseball and fireworks. The weekend is dedicated to not only honoring veterans, but also acknowledging local heroes like law enforcement and firefighters.
Overton Square Spring Concert
When: 4-8 p.m. Sunday
Place: Chimes Square
Details: http://overtonsquare.com/upcoming-events/2019/5/26/spring-concert
Overton Square hosts its annual free Spring Concert and cornhole tournament, which will benefit the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee. Vendors will include MemPops, The TapBox Mobile Beer Garden and the 901 Balloon Guy.
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure
When: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Place: The Peabody
This scavenger hunt allows people to roam the lesser-known sites of Memphis while tackling 17 challenges along the way. The players are guided through a smartphone app and basically tour the city at their own pace, enjoying the different sites on the map, including The Peabody and Beale Street.
Memphis Murph
When: 9 a.m. Monday
Place: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5066, 347 S. Center St., Collierville
Details: https://racesonline.com/events/memphis-murph
The race is dedicated to Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, of New York, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Participants will replicate Murphy's workout, which CrossFit named the "Murph," and raise money to support military causes.
Memorial Day Ceremony
When: 11 a.m. Monday
Place: West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Details: https://www.westtennesseeveterans.com/
West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery's Memorial Day Ceremony includes remarks by veterans, music and a gun salute by the Germantown Special Weapons & Tactics Team.
Olive Branch Memorial Day Tribute
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Monday
Place: Blocker Cemetery, 6671 Shady Grove Cove, Olive Branch
Details: https://www.parentsandkids.com/calendar/olive-branch-7th-annual-memorial-day-tribute-2/
Olive Branch's Blocker Cemetery will observe its seventh annual Memorial Day Tribute with a roll call of veterans interred at the cemetery. A color guard and honor guard will be on hand, and representatives of Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution will also be there to salute the soldiers.