Tag: Independence Day

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Airport Expects More Than 100,000 During Independence Day Season

Credit: Memphis International Airport

Imagine if nearly every single resident of Bartlett and Collierville decided to go the airport in the same two weeks.

That’s what officials expect for Memphis International Airport (MEM) during this Independence Day travel season. The Transportation Safety Adminstration (TSA) expects more than 101,000 people will fly through MEM between June 27 and July 8 this year. (The combined populations of Bartlett and Collierville are slightly above that figure, at around 109,000, according to Municipal Technical Advisory Service.)

More than 10,500 travelers passed through TSA security lines on Thursday, June 27, TSA said. It was expected to be the peak travel day in the holiday season. Wednesday and Sunday are expected to see the next-highest volume of travelers. 

With all of this, MEM officials recommend that: 

• Travelers arrive at the airport a minimum of two hours before their scheduled flight time.

• Prior to coming to the airport, passengers save time by checking in online via their airline’s website.

• Passengers should check directly with their airlines to monitor schedules.

• Airlines — not the airport — are responsible for all aspects of ticketing, scheduling, gate operations, and baggage handling. Check with your airline if you have questions about these subjects.

• MEM parking lots are likely to reach capacity during peak travel days. When this occurs, additional signage will be added, and additional parking staff will help direct drivers to available parking spots.

• For convenience, drivers parking in the blue or yellow lots may want to drop off luggage and other passengers at the terminal before parking.

• Shuttles are operating between the blue and yellow parking lots and the terminal.  

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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+.

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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.

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Record Number of Travelers Expected to Hit State Highways This Week


A record number of Tennesseans are expected to hit the road this Independence Day.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 985,000 drivers are expected to be on the state’s roads this week. That’s nearly 5 percent more than the number of Tennesseans that traveled this time last year.

The rise state’s rise in travelers follows the national trend, as AAA estimates a record number of Americans — 41.4 million — are expected to travel by automobile this week. That’s 1.9 million more than last year.

AAA said the busiest day for driving will likely be Wednesday.

In order to make travel smoother for the nearly 1 million drivers expected to be on the state’s highways this week, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures beginning at noon on Wednesday until 6 a.m. on Monday.

“It is estimated that 985,000 motorists will travel Tennessee’s interstates and state routes this July 4th holiday,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “To help motorists reach their destinations safely and without unnecessary delays, we are suspending lane closures during this holiday travel time.”

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Still, workers could be present in construction zones where reduced speed limits will remain in effect. Speeding in work zones could result in a $250 to $500 fine, according to TDOT.

AAA attributes the increase in drivers in part to lower gas prices compared to this time last year.

Memphis’s average price for a gallon of regular gas decreased by about 17 cents from this time last year.

The average price for regular gas in Memphis as of Tuesday is $2.43 per gallon. That’s a little less than Nashville’s average of $2.48 per gallon and slightly more than Chattanooga’s and Knoxville’s average prices of $2.36 and $2.39 per gallon respectively.

Across the country, gas is most expensive in California where the average price per gallon is $3.77. The country’s lowest gas prices are currently just south of Memphis in Mississippi. A gallon currently averages $2.34 there.



Try AAA’s gas cost calculator to see how much your travel plans will cost you.