Tag: 4th of July

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend

Graceland Hosts All-American 4th of July Weekend

Spend the Fourth with Elvis. (Photo: Courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)

Recently, a young co-worker asked me if Graceland was cool or cheesy. The answer is both. Seriously, the ’70s were total cheese. You just can’t get past that. But talk to any Memphian and they have an Elvis story — either about their parents, grandparents, or friends who had a brush with Elvis. And that’s pretty cool.

So, if you are a Memphian, the upcoming Fourth of July holiday might be just the ticket to get your cool cheese on when Graceland throws their All-American 4th of July Weekend event.

Elvis Presley Enterprises states, “Graceland is so excited to celebrate America’s birthday with friends, family, and fans.”

Aren’t we all, in some form or fashion, a friend, family, or fan of Elvis Presley — if not directly, by proximity? Plus, Graceland knows how to throw a party. On Saturday, events range from a $25 Ultimate Elvis Tribute concert by Bill Cherry to a $500 Hidden Graceland Tour. On Sunday, you can attend a Gospel Brunch for $50 or a private barbecue dinner reception for VIP and package holders. The finale is free and open to the public, with fireworks set to Elvis music.

VIP and package tickets are $346-$1,200 and include special perks, access to Graceland, including the interactive and special exhibits, and most of the Fourth of July weekend events except for the Hidden Tour of Graceland.

Sounds like a great staycation for America’s birthday. There is nothing more American than Elvis, rock-and-roll, fireworks, and barbecue.

All-American 4th of July Weekend, Graceland, 3717 Elvis Presley, Saturday-Sunday, July 3-4, free-$50+.

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend

Cooper-Young to Host a Virtual July 4th Celebration

CREDIT: Cooper-Young Community Association

Cooper-Young Community Association

Normally, around this time, the Cooper-Young Community Association (CYCA) would be gearing up for its annual CYCA 4th of July Family Parade at Peabody Elementary School, complete with decorated bikes, people, and wagons, as well as live music, Mempops, and fun family activities.

According to Amanda Yarbro-Dill, executive director of CYCA, this event was always a chance for CYCA to thank the Cooper-Young community for partaking in paid events, like the Cooper-Young Festival 4-Miler and Cooper-Young Beerfest, throughout the year.

“The parade has increased in attendance every year, and it’s one of the things that we use our money we make from other events to put it back in the neighborhood, give everybody a reason to get together and see each other,” she says. “It’s just a nice, sweet, simple little thing that we certainly can’t do this year.”

When it became clear that they could not get together for the parade this year, Yarbro-Dill and the rest of the team at CYCA decided they needed to find an alternative way for community members to interact with each other on Independence Day. What they came up with was an Instagram contest wherein community members are invited to submit photos Cooper-Young Community Association

 of children and/or pets dressed in costume, or of homes decked in 4th of July decor, in hopes of winning fun prizes like gift cards and Cooper-Young swag.

“That was kind of our thinking: Well, if we can’t do this together, then if people want to still use it as an opportunity to kind of show off and have fun with that kind of thing, let’s give them a chance and give prizes to make it a little more fun,” says Yarbro-Dill. “I think the whole neighborhood has really suffered from not being able to get together easily. So it’s kind of like the illusion of a social experience, even though we’re all just stuck in our pods or bubbles.”

Yarbro-Dill says that this is a chance for members of the community to show off the spirit of their neighborhood and that anyone can participate, whether they’re from East Memphis, Bartlett, or beyond.

“I just hope that, even if people are just seeing each other on Facebook, this will give everybody a boon,” says Yarbro-Dill. “We haven’t been out and haven’t had the opportunity to be together, so this will give everyone a chance to see each other and reconnect.”

Cooper-Young’s Virtual July 4th Celebration, instagram.com/cooperyoungassociation, July 4th, all day, free. Submit photos with hashtag #CYJULY4.

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend

MRPP and DMC Host a Series of Socially Distanced Independence Day Celebrations Downtown

CREDIT: Memphis River Parks Partnership

Although friends and families can’t celebrate Independence Day exactly the same way they may have in the past, that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a socially distanced outing by the river.

Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRRP) and Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) present the first Quintessential Summer Celebration, featuring five days of independent celebrations for families to enjoy the full suite of amenities that Downtown Memphis has to offer.

“Usually the Memphis River Parks Partnership and Downtown Memphis Commission put on a Downtown Fourth of July celebration,” says Helen Hope, program associate with MRPP. “But this year, obviously, we can’t have 3,000 people all in one space in one day. So the idea we came up with is a socially distanced event with socially distanced activities, things for people to do to still celebrate. It will look a little bit different, but I think it could also be pretty fun.”

Memphis River Parks Partnership

Kayaking on the Mississippi

Attendees can pick up special lunch and dinner deals from Downtown restaurants and head over to Tom Lee Park, where there will be socially distanced areas for families and groups to picnic by the river.

Groups will also be able to take advantage of recreational activities like kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, Explore Bike Share rentals, and more.

“This is an opportunity for people to see a different Downtown and a different riverfront,” says Penelope Huston, vice president of marketing and communications for DMC. “And we’re really excited about marrying this standard Downtown experience with all these new green tourism aspects of Downtown. You can be at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum in the morning and be on the river in a kayak in the afternoon.”

Quintessential Summer Celebration, Wednesday, July 1st-Sunday, July 5th, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., free.

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend

Celebrate Independence Day with the Redbirds

CREDIT: Memphis Redbirds

Every year since the Redbirds were introduced to our city in 2000, the Memphis Redbirds Independence Day games have served as a staple for Memphians looking to celebrate the holiday. After all, how much more of an All-American experience can you get beyond combining baseball, hot dogs, and fireworks? The Redbirds have you covered.

This year, our beloved baseball team will play against the New Orleans Baby Cakes in front of a packed house of 10,000 attendees.

The first 1,000 fans to show up will receive free sunscreen samples from the American Cancer Society as part of Minor League Baseball’s aptly named “Cover Your Bases” initiative.

Memphis Redbirds

Take me out to the ball game.

“We also have a specialty ticket that includes a ticket to the game and an all-you-can-eat hamburger/hot dog buffet, which is always very popular,” says Michael Schroeder, director of media and public relations for the Redbirds and 901FC.

Other food items included in the unlimited buffet: potato chips, cookies, bottled water, and two Coca-Cola beverages per person.

“It’s a good way to let us do the grilling so you can just sit back with family and friends and watch some baseball while eating great food and enjoying post-game fireworks,” says Schroeder.

After the game, Schroeder promises the Minor League Baseball team will deliver AutoZone Park’s biggest fireworks extravaganza in history.

And because the Redbirds’ Independence Day celebrations occur on July 3rd, attendees can get a head start on Fourth of July festivities a day early and/or celebrate two days in a row. “No matter when it is, we create a memorable night at the ballpark,” Schroeder says.