Jimmy Buffett got real about Memphis way back in a 2009 Talks at Google event. An employee asked if he’d ever play the city again. Buffett first couched his answer saying that he was scaling back his tours. Then, true to form, he went candid.
“That place in Memphis is a little funky, to tell you the truth,” Buffett said. “That Mud Island place to play … But there’s a good chance I could be in a bar there any given time. I still do that.”
Classic Classic
Posted to X by Southern Heritage Classic
The Tennessee State University marching band honored the school’s Memphis-born president, Glenda Glover, during the halftime performance at the Southern Heritage Classic last weekend. Somehow the band also “threw in a little something about the Alabama riverboat incident.”
Draw Ja
Posted to YouTube by Cartooning Club How to Draw
Learn how to draw a cartoon-ized Ja Morant over on the YouTube channel Cartooning Club How to Draw, which has 4.2 million subscribers.
The Tennessee State University band paid tribute to Young Dolph during its half-time performance at the recent (and last) Southern Heritage Classic.
Scenes from CY Fest
Posted to Instagram by @tony_boone
Thousands descended upon the 2022 Cooper-Young Festival Saturday, September 17th. The event was back in full force after Covid canceled the fest in 2020 and reduced it in 2021.
Posted to Instagram by @memphisfiredancer
Festival fashion was on display everywhere Saturday, including this look from @memphisfiredancer, showing off some new henna.
Posted to TikTok by @musicismydrugofchoice
CY Fest stages (and audiences) were full once again. Singer/songwriter Bailey Bigger (right) played the Young Avenue stage.
Fred Parson gives a speech — maybe more of an order — to family and colleagues every year as he prepares to celebrate the Southern Heritage Classic weekend.
“I tell anybody in my family, ‘Do not get married on this weekend,’” Parson said. “Check the calendar before you schedule your wedding on the Southern Heritage Classic. It’s not a good weekend to do anything else … because I’m not going to be there.”
This weekend will be a bittersweet one for Parson. He’s a 1999 graduate of Tennessee State University (TSU), an alumnus of the school’s famous marching band, the Aristocrat of Bands, and he’s been to every Classic except for one. This weekend, Parson will likely experience the magic of the Classic for the very last time.
The Southern Heritage Classic is the annual football matchup between TSU and Jackson State University (JSU), both historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since 1990, fans have met in Memphis to witness the matchup between the two teams, and to participate in a weekend full of events that are a touchstone of Black culture.
JSU announced in February it would no longer participate in the Classic, terminating their contract agreement early due to scheduling conflicts. As alumni and fans prepare to say farewell to the Classic, they begin to reflect on the many elements that contribute to the event’s iconic nature.
For Shun Hill, a 2003 TSU graduate and Aristocrat of Bands alum, “there’s nothing like the feeling of being part of the halftime show.”
“Marching into the stadium … there’s nothing like the crowd’s reaction to a great show,” Hill said. “It’s actually sad that it’s the last one. I don’t know how many I’ve been to, it’s been at least 15 or so. It’s been a part of my life since high school. It’s going to be hard to let it go. It’s going to be very hard.”
Hill talked about several enjoyable aspects of the game such as the familial aspect of tailgating, to the trash talking prior to the game. She said that alumni have discussed the future of potential matchups for the next game, but she believes nothing compares to the rivalry between the two schools.
“I don’t know what HBCU football will occur after this, but I can’t see it nearly having the crowd support or even community support that Jackson and TSU have because of the communities that exist here within Memphis,” Hill said.
The tight-knit community aspect is one that many experience first-hand as HBCU alums, but Parson explains that it also impacts those outside of the HBCU community, and even those outside of Memphis.
“Most of the time these kids [in DeSoto County] don’t know much about Memphis,” he said. “They didn’t grow up in Memphis. All they hear about is the bad stuff and what you see on the news. But when you go to the Classic, and when you go to the tailgate, you see thousands on top of thousands, on top of thousands … probably between the game and the tailgate, you’ll see 100,000 people out there. And everybody is just love.
“It’s about Black culture. It’s about two universities. They’re just out there having good, genuine fun for a weekend.”
Cooper-Young
Festival (Photo: Courtesy Cooper-Young Festival)
As you flip your wall calendars to the fresh, crisp September page, after Memphis’ humid, boiling August, you can exhale: It’s almost fall. And that means it’s time for more fairs and festivals, so crack open your planners, pull up your calendar app, tape a sticky note to your head, do whatever you gotta do to make sure you have these fairs and festivals tapped into your autumn plans.
SEPTEMBER
Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration
Can I tell you what a yellow card is or what a running back does? No, but I can tell you that the Southern Heritage Classic, a premier sports and entertainment event, will be a good time. And if you don’t believe me, just take a look at the agenda: The O’Jays are putting on a concert, Landers Center is hosting a Classic Funk Fest, the Classic Parade will roll through Park Avenue, and so much more, including, of course, the Southern Heritage Classic football game featuring Jackson State vs. Tennessee State at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Various locations, September 8-10
Germantown Festival (Photo: Courtesy Germantown Festival)
Germantown Festival
Some might say weenies aren’t cool by definition, but at this festival, the weenies will prove you otherwise as they gear up for the annual Running of the Weenies at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 10th. So don’t be a weenie! Go show your support at this festival of arts that, in addition to the famed race, offers children’s activities, rides and games, entertainment, a car exhibit, community displays, and more.
Germantown Civic Club Complex, September 10-11
Goat Days Festival
Bah-bah-bah, Bah-Barbara Ann, you got me rockin’ and a-rollin’, rockin’ and a-reelin’ from too long without goats. But take my hand and bring me to the Goats Days Festival and I’m yours. Starting at 7 a.m. with the much-beloved pancake breakfast, the day features goat yoga, live music all day, local vendors, food galore, a car show, an antique tractor show, a barbecue contest, an all-day kids zone, and so much more.
Millington Sports Complex, September 10
Memphis Rox Yoga Festival
This festival is yogalicious, definition makes yogis go crazy. (It’s hot, hot.) With more than 15 yoga classes, from acro yoga to handstand workshops, this festival also boasts a kids’ zone, live music, and lectures, including topics ranging from nutrition to personalizing yoga through astrology.
Memphis Botanic Garden, September 10
Collierville Balloon Festival (Photo: Courtesy Collierville Balloon Festival)
Collierville Balloon Festival
Enjoy the Wizard of Oz’s preferred mode of transportation at this festival all about the whimsical hot air balloon. Each morning will begin with a breathtaking release of the balloons into the sky, which the family can witness for free before the festival’s activities commence in the afternoon. The day will include a kids’ zone, food trucks, vendors, carnival rides and games, and of course some hot air ballooning. Once the sun goes down, the balloons will light up the sky with an evening balloon glow.
Maynard Way, Collierville, September 17-18
Cooper-Young Festival
Whether you’re young or young at heart, when you’re in Cooper-Young, you’re in for some fun with this festival all about celebrating the arts, people, culture, and heritage of Memphis. Bailey Bigger will headline a lineup of great local, original music, and a slew of artisans from Memphis and across the U.S. will be selling handmade, unique, and quirky art.
Cooper-Young, September 17
Mint Cream Market: Fall Fest
Shop from vintage collectors, craft goods, and unique art at this fest with live entertainment and food trucks.
Arrow Creative, September 17
Orion Free Concert Series
If you press your ear to a shell, you’ll hear the ocean for free. If you press your ear to the Shell, you might be too close to the stage, but you might also hear some country blues or powerpop, depending on the weekend, also for free.
Overton Park Shell, Country Blues Festival, September 17
Memphis Powerpop Festival, September 24
Gonerfest 19
Going, going, gone off to Gonerfest 19 for four days of rocking music, courtesy of Goner Records. The caliber of these artists is too hard to describe in a mere few sentences, which is why I urge you to read our cover story next week because it’s going to be all about Gonerfest.
Railgarten, September 22-25
Mid-South Fair (Photo: Courtesy Mid-South Fair)
Mid-South Fair
If you fancy yourself an old soul, perhaps reincarnated from bygone times, you’ll feel at home at this festival which has been a must-do event since 1856. Fair-goers can enjoy more than 50 rides, a wide array of ground acts, and of course favorite fair fare — funnel cakes, turkey legs, candied apples — you name it, they’ve perfected it.
Lots of things are celebrating their 50th this year. I mean, 50 years ago, The Godfather premiered its first installment in theaters, Watergate began to unfold, Jennifer Garner was born, and right here in Memphis, the Pink Palace Crafts Fair took place for the first time. And now, 150 artists in various mediums are coming from around the country to celebrate the fair’s big 5-0. Attendees can marvel at craft demonstrations, enjoy live music, and entertain the kiddos at the petting zoo and with a ride on the choo-choo train, some rock climbing, and pony rides.
Audubon Park, September 23-25
Mighty Roots Music Festival
We root for music, the mighty, mighty roots music. No longer a rookie, this music fest is back for year two, taking place at the same spot the famous blues singer-songwriter Muddy Waters began his love of blues music.
Stovall, MS, September 23-24
Aquatseli Bluegrass Festival
“Aquatseli” is Cherokee for “our,” so make this bluegrass extravaganza yours and check out the instrument workshops, open jams, square dancing, clogging, vendors, and more.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, September 24
Latin Fest
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group’s Latin Fest, where friends and families can listen to and dance to live Latin music, taste Latin food and drinks, enjoy activities for kids, and shop from vendors.
Overton Square, September 24
Memphis Comic Expo
The Mid-South’s largest comic-creator con has answered the Bat-Signal and is back in Memphis to celebrate your favorite creators, with over 100 artists and writers, a cosplay contest, more than 50 vendors, panels, and more. It’s going to be a marvel.
Agricenter International, September 24-25
Wiseacre Oktoberfest
Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi! Oktoberfest is back, boy oh boy. So dust off your steins and snap on your lederhosen for a day with food trucks, Mighty Souls Brass Band, the Grizzline, and more.
Wiseacre Brewing Company, September 24
Soulful Food Truck Festival
Saddle up your picnic blankets and lawn chairs for this journey to the center of your stomach and your soul as you enjoy food from food trucks and vendors, shop from local artisans, and take in music by Carmen Hicks, Angie P. Holmes, and Courtney Little, plus DJs Zoom and Swagg.
Tiger Lane, September 25
Bartlett Festival
With the Judge Freeman Marr Panther Pride 5K to kick things off, this festival boasts local music, arts and crafts, a car show, children’s activities, a barbecue cooking contest, concessions, and so much more.
W.J. Freeman Park, September 30-October 1
Mempho Music Festival
Mempho Music Festival (Photo: Courtesy Mempho Music Festival/Joshua Timmermans)
You know it, I know, the music at Mempho always hits the right note. I mean, how could it not with The Black Keys, Portugal. The Man, Bobby Rush, Amy LaVere, Elizabeth King, and so many more on the lineup?
Radians Amphitheater, Memphis Botanic Garden, September 30-October 2
OCTOBER
Wine on the River Memphis
You don’t have to be Carmen Sandiego and glide around the globe and flimflam every nation just to get a taste of the world. Instead, take your taste buds on a global journey as you sample wine from national and international vineyards along with bites of food from each cultural region.
Riverside Drive, October 1
King Biscuit Blues Festival (Photo: Courtesy King Biscuit Blues Festival)
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Hear ye, hear ye, King Biscuit Blues Festival is back for its annual three-day event, complete with the Flour Power 5K, the Tour da Delta bicycle race, and a Kansas City-sanctioned barbecue contest, all in historic Downtown Helena. Oh, and of course, there’ll be blues music — lots of blues music — on five stages.
Helena, AR, October 5-8
Soul of the City
Rock around the clock as Elmwood Cemetery’s residents take you through Memphis music history. You’ll meet Sister Thea Bowman, Grammy Award-winners, rock-and-roll stars, blues crooners, and more.
Bacon? Good. Bourbon? Good. Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival? Good. That’s all you need to know.
Metal Museum, October 7
Big River Fit Fest
Let’s get physical in an HR-approved way. For the love of all things good and pure, this fitness fest is designed to expose (again in an HR-approved way) and educate the Mid-South community of all ages and skill levels on fitness, wellness, and health.
Mud Island Park, October 8
Edge Motorfest
If Cars taught me anything, it’s that life is a highway, and I wanna ride it all night long, and if you’re goin’ my way, well, we’re driving to the Edge, for a day to check out over 150 cool cars, food trucks, vendor booths, and more. Ka-chow, am I right?
Edge Motor Museum, October 8
Shell Daze Fall Music Festival
The music doesn’t stop when it comes to the folks at Mempho. Hardly a week after the big shebang, they are putting on a two-day mini fest, with a lineup featuring Moon Taxi, Tab Benoit, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Daniel Donato, Star & Micey, and Garrison Starr.
Overton Park Shell, October 8-9
Southern Soul Music Festival
Jam to your favorite soulful hits and songs by Tucka, Calvin Richardson, Sir Charles Jones, Ronnie Bell, Theodis Ealey, Karen Wolfe, and FatDaddy.
The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, October 8
Deep Blues Festival
Of all the shades of blue, deep blues are my favorite, and you can bet the Deep Blues Festival will be just the right shade of fun as it celebrates traditional and alternative blues with musicians from all over the world.
Clarksdale, MS, October 13-16
Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
Are you a streetcar? ’Cause you look like your name should be Desire. Oh, is your name Tennessee? ’Cause you’re the only 10 I see. I promise I’m not a player, just a play-lover, and if you are too, meet me at the Tennessee Williams Festival, where we can enjoy screenings, lectures, and performances.
Clarksdale, MS, October 13-15
Fall Fest at the Nest
Soar like an eagle right over to Fall Fest at the Nest and enjoy food, fun, family, music and free admission. Shop vendors, enjoy a car show, chili cook-off, cornhole tournament, rides, food trucks, music fest, $10,000 cash raffle, and more.
St. Benedict at Auburndale, October 14-15
Memphis Brewfest
Fifty-something bottles of beer on the wall, 50-something bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, and you’ll still have 50-something breweries and cideries to sample from. That’s right, at the Memphis Brewfest, you can get unlimited samples from more than 50 breweries and cideries from around the world.
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, October 15
Memphis Food & Wine Festival
It’s wine o’clock somewhere. Sorry. I know what you’re thinking — that’s so cheesy, borderline offensive. If you’re of a certain age, you might even invoke the word cheugy. But I bet you’ll quit your whining when you get to wining and dining at this festival which not only benefits the FedExFamilyHouse but also showcases local chefs alongside acclaimed national chefs and top global vineyards.
Memphis Botanic Garden, October 15
Shop Black Fest
Support more than 50 local Black-owned businesses of all types at this festival of fun vibes, music, and food.
Downtown Memphis, October 15
Soulsville USA Festival
Treat your soul to a day of music, food, educational activities, games for kids, and free admission to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, all to honor the city’s rich spiritual heritage and its roots in soul music.
Soulsville USA District at College and McLemore, October 15
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Why Netflix and chill when you could be less run-of-the-mill at an independent film festival? The Indie Memphis Film Festival will screen a range of features, documentaries, and short films from all over the world. Plus, festival-goers can enjoy live music, parties, free panels, meet-and-greets with special guests, and the Black Creators Forum. For more information, be sure to check out our Flyer cover story on October 19th.
Various locations, October 19-24
Cooper-Young Beerfest
I don’t know if you’ve heard but Taylor Swift is releasing a new album on October 21st, which is worth raising a beer mug to and downing a couple more after. And there’s no better place than the Cooper-Young Beerfest the next day.
Midtown Autowerks, October 22
RiverArtsFest
The Mid-South runneth over with art, and the Mississippi River floweth with inspiration — two phenomena that merge only once a year to create RiverArtsFest, where more than 180 artists from around the country can show off and sell their fine arts. As an added bonus, the festival features artist demonstrations, hands-on art activities for all ages, and local music.
Downtown Memphis, October 22-23
World Championship Hot Wing Fest
Wing wing wing! Sorry the old chicken can’t come to the phone right now. Why? ’Cause she’s dead. But that’s okay. She died a winner — a winner, winner chicken dinner — well, depending on how things shake up at the World Championship Hot Wing Fest. So don’t let the old chicken’s death be in vain and head on over to sample the competing wings, all while supporting The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. As always, the contest will kick off with the Memphis Second Line Jazz Band leading a flock of chickens in a parade through Tiger Lane and across the main stage to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, October 22
Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival (Photo: Courtesy Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival)
Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival
Dia de Los Muertos is deadicated to celebrating and honoring ancestors who lived before us. On this day, enjoy a parade beginning in Overton Square with floats and performers making their way to the plaza at the Brooks Museum, where you can enjoy art-making activities, face painting, music, costumed performers, dance performances, and more.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, October 29
Hambone Festival
Presented by artist and musician Stan Street, this music festival features a stellar lineup, a jam night, street parties, and Cruisin’ the Crossroads Car & Truck Show.
Hambone Art Gallery & the Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, MS, October 29-November 1
NOVEMBER
Fieldaze Memphis
Unlike other fields during autumn harvests, Fieldaze doesn’t have any crop circles (or fields for that matter), but it will have UFOs — Unadulterated Fun Outside — with fitness classes, music, food, entertainment, a half marathon, a bike race, a kayak race, and more.
Call me a 6- to 12-month-old baby ’cause I’m gonna be crawling down Beale for this artcrawl that welcomes artists of all mediums and styles from Memphis, Nashville, and surrounding areas.
Beale Street, Downtown Memphis, November 5
Memphis Japan Festival
Celebrate the history, culture, and people of Japan at this festival featuring food, entertainment, games, crafts, vendors, exhibitors, and more.
Draft your friends and family to the only sporting event that matters — holiday shopping. There are no fantasy leagues, only the real deal, and if you can get it done before Thanksgiving, the glory is legendary. So get a head start and do it all in one stop at the Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival where local vendors will show off their goods, and local craft beers will make the experience all the more enjoyable.
Crosstown Concourse, November 12-13
DECEMBER
Holiday Spirits: A Christmas Cocktail Festival
This holly, jolly cocktail festival is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, with its festive … er … spirits, plus the big man in red himself.
Photo posted to Memphis Sandwich Clique Facebook group by RachAel Mimbs
Locals only. No fast food. Hot dogs, wraps, and tacos are not sandwiches. These are but a few of the concrete rules for the Memphis Sandwich Clique, a public Facebook group.
The rest is as simple and delicious as you might expect. Get a (local) sandwich. Take a photo of it. Describe it. Post it to the group and “let the best sammy win.”
The group was founded in late July but boasted 8,833 members as of Monday. Those members help each other find the city’s dankest sandwiches (Phillies, Cubans, BLTs, reubens, clubs, burgers, and more). Sam’s Deli, Rawk’n Grub, Old Whitten Tavern, and Elwood’s Shack are easy favorites of the group.
A Classic Festival Weekend
Your weekend social feeds most certainly showed some of the action from the steamy-but-fun Southern Heritage Classic or Cooper-Young Festival. Something like this, eh?
Mike Conley and another guy who sometimes goes by ‘MIke’ and is a big fan.
People passing by the Orion Federal Credit Union headquarters (the old Wonder Bread factory on Monroe) Sept. 13th probably were bowled over to see Mike Conley enter the building.
Conley, the former Memphis Grizzlies guard, was in Memphis to host his 11th annual Bowl-N-Bash to benefit the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
The pre-bash reception was held at Orion, which was the event’s presenting sponsor. The affable Conley, dressed in a black-and-silver shirt and skinny black jeans, chatted with guests.
He wore a T-shirt and black-and-silver shorts the next day at Bowl-N-Bash at Billy Hardwick’s All-Star Lanes.
“Saturday’s event was really special,” says Sarah Farley, Methodist Healthcare Corporate communications specialist. “Mike and his family were all there. And we had over 300 people in attendance. We raised over $90,000 to benefit the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.”
Conley was inspired by the health challenges of two of his cousins living with sickle cell disease to partner with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 2011 to create a medical environment to help people with the disease. The Sickle Cell Center at Methodist University Hospital opened in 2012.
Michael Donahue
Zach Pretzer, Mary and Mike Conley, and Daniel Weickenand at the Bowl-N-Bash pre-bash reception.
Lisa Buser
Bowl-N-Bash
Lisa Buser
Bowl-N-Bash
Michael Donahue
Cooper-Young Festival
Blame it on the heat.
This year’s Cooper-Young Festival, which was held Sept. 14th, was down by 15,000 to 20,000 people, says Tamara Cook, executive director of the Cooper-Young Business Association. “It was just fantastically hot,” she says. “That’s what got everybody.”
The artists’ booths did great, but, she says, “We got hit by the heat. You didn’t see a lot of people standing in the sun in front of the main stage. People were standing in the shade.”
About 115,000 attended this year’s event. They had three stages, 17 bands, and more than 425 booths.
But the temperature reached 96 degrees around 4 or 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. And it might have felt hotter.
Says Cook: “We’re not used to seeing concrete, you know? When we look across the
crowd we see heads and bodies. This time we saw concrete, which is unusual for us.”
MIchael Donahue
Cooper-Young Festival
Michael Donahue
Sammy Rosenberg, Meitav Menachem, Max Abraham, Gil Brav, and Hadas Brav at Cooper-Young Fest.
Michael Donahue
Cooper-Young Festival
MIchael Donahue
Coltrane Duckworth at Cooper-Young Festival
MIchael Donahue
Cooper-Young Festival
Michael Donahue
Cooper-Young Festival
Commodore Primous and Fred Jones at the Classic Gala.
Southern Heritage founder Fred Jones and Mayor Jim Strickland spoke at the Southern Heritage Classic’s Classic Gala, held Sept. 11th at the Soundstage at Graceland.
Strickland presented the gala, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Southern Heritage Classic.
Alumni from Jackson State University and Tennessee State University attended. The teams played in the Classic, which was held Sept. 14th at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Trio Plus performed at the gala. Stephanie Scurlock was emcee.
“It was a spectacular opening event for the 30th anniversary,” Jones says. “The location, the food, the music. I’m glad we were able to take the event to the Graceland Soundstage. Graceland is a big part of Memphis and we wanted to showcase Memphis as we celebrate the 30th anniversary.”
Trio Plus at the Classic Gala.
Michael Donahue
Singer-songwriter Ken Stringfellow, who worked with The Posies, R.E.M., and re-formed Big Star, performed at a house concert Sept. 13th at the home of Madelyn Gray.
MIchael Donahue
Nikki Schroeder created the official festival art for the Memphis Food & Wine Festival 2019. The painting was on view at an announcement party at Acre restaurant for the festival, which will be Oct. 12 at Memphis Botanic Garden. With her are chef Andrew Adams and chef/owner Wally Joe.
Michael Donahue
Aldo Dean, owner of Bardog Tavern, Aldo’s Pizza Pies, and Slider Inn, gave visitors a sneak peek of the new Slider Inn on South Main and Talbot at a South Main Association meeting, which was held Sept. 10th.
WE SAW YOU AROUND TOWN
Michael Donahue
Gabriel Valadez at his birthday party.
Michael Donahue
Gabriel Valadez birthday party.
Michael Donahue
Gabriel Valadez birthday party.
Michael Donahue
Grant Slattery and Alex Espinosa on Slattery’s last day Wine Depot.
Michael Donahue
Duff Smith and John McArthur at Fam.
April, Ryan, Jack, Lucille, Maddie, and JR McDaniel on their first visit to Gibson’s Donuts.
The University of Memphis opened the 2011 football season at home against Mississippi State before an “announced” crowd of 33,990 and ended the home season against Marshall in front of an “announced” crowd of 15,101 in 62,000-seat Liberty Bowl Stadium. The actual numbers, however, were 26,398 for the opener and 3,301 for the Marshall game.
The most recent AutoZone Liberty Bowl drew an “announced” 57,000 and an actual 31,578. And the 2011 Southern Heritage Classic announced 43,532 while actual attendance was 26,398. (Pure coincidence that this is the same number as the Tiger opener, according to Memphis Division of Parks Director Cindy Buchanan and her assistant, who provided and double-checked the numbers at The Flyer’s request.)
According to Buchanan, total attendance for the eight games at the stadium last year was 120,300, compared to the sum of the “announced” attendance of 221,002 by the stadium’s three tenants.
It is common knowledge that announced attendance, which includes tickets sold and distributed but not necessarily used, is often inflated. It is also common practice among colleges and professional teams and the media outlets that follow them. What is not so clearly known is the gap between reporting and reality. It’s a downer, and it does not endear reporters to the people and organizations they must report on.
The gap is especially relevant now in reference to Liberty Bowl Stadium. Tenants and boosters say the stadium needs an upgrade, and the Memphis City Council and city taxpayers may be asked to shoulder some of the costs. The tenants have also told Councilman Reid Hedgepeth that they will bear at least half of the costs of the upgrades and are aware of the city’s financial predicament.
In other words, it’s time to look at real numbers. The games are an important part of the local sports scene and, even at the low number, bring thousands of out-of-towners to Memphis and help put paying customers in hotels and restaurants. At the same time, however, a ticket that is distributed but unused does not contribute to the stadium ambience, concession sales, or parking revenue. And the city gets a share of the latter two.
On March 20, the City Council must decide how much public support should be pledged to upgrading the stadium. Hedgepeth said the tenants would provide specific numbers then. Actual attendance should be among them.
Here are the numbers Buchanan provided for each game: AutoZone Liberty Bowl, 31,578, Southern Heritage Classic, 26,398; Mississippi State, 26398; Austin Peay, 9,198; SMU, 9,208; East Carolina, 7,128; UAB, 7,127; Marshall, 3,301.
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