Groove Into Spring at Shelby Forest Spring Fest

Meet Kelsey J. Lawrence, an award-winning journalist and freelance writer with a passion for outdoor adventure and family travel. Kelsey loves sharing experiences that push her beyond her comfort zone. 

With a broadcast journalism career spanning 15 years, Kelsey made her mark as a TV news producer and digital journalist, earning two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards and an Emmy Award. Her expertise also extends to Corporate Communications, having served as a Communications Manager at FedEx, where she earned numerous accolades for her work.

In August 2022, Kelsey welcomed her son, Parks, and has been embracing "mom life" ever since. She is the creative force behind Adventure Baby, a blog that aims to inspire first-time parents like herself to continue traveling and enjoying the great outdoors with their precious sidekicks.

Kelsey also enjoys working with business owners who are looking to enhance their marketing and communications efforts with compelling content and strategic outreach. Feel free to reach out to her if you’re looking to level up your branding and engage your audiences through impactful storytelling.

The most underrated thing(s) about Memphis:

Our beautiful and well-kept hiking trails and walking paths! Parks and I get outside to walk a few miles every morning. We especially love the natural beauty and shade of Shelby Forest as well as the views of the Mississippi River from the Riverwalk pathway to Big River Crossing. 

Your favorite Memphis event:

My favorite Memphis event is one I’m lucky enough to participate in annually. The Memphis Ski Freeze happens every year on New Year’s Day at Mud Island River Park. A few dozen of us water skiers and wakeboarders take to the Mississippi River in the frigid temperatures to raise money for The Dream Factory of Memphis. If you think that sounds cold, keep reading. I like to take it to the next level by braving the icy waters without a wetsuit. I was raised in North Dakota after all. 

Favorite thing to do in Memphis with kids:

There are so many family-friendly places to visit in Memphis, it’s hard to choose just one! We love the Memphis Zoo for so many reasons. Visiting the zoo is a great way to get some exercise and be outside while seeing some of our favorite animals. The zoo offers kids a variety of interactive opportunities to safely experience the wonders of the “wild.” My favorite experience, the Giraffe Feeding Adventure, gives children of all ages (and us big kids, of course) the chance to get up close and personal with the remarkable animals while learning and having fun. Pro tip? Check out the Memphis Zoo when it’s raining! That’s when the crowds thin out and the animals come out to play.