365 Things to Do in Memphis #145: Celebrate Memphis

Updated May 2019 What do you get when you put togetherMemphis musicians, loads of delicious food, and local small businesses by the river at the end of Memphis in May's monthlong festival? Assignment #145 in the 365 Things To Do In Memphis is to attend the closeout festival: Celebrate Memphis Started in 2016, Celebrate Memphis (formerly 901 Fest) is all about Memphis: music, food, great organizations, and more. It's usually held on the final Saturday in May at Tom Lee Park.

365 Things to Do in Memphis #139: World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Swine & Dine booth at World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

THIS INFORMATION IS OUTDATED THIS WILL BE UPDATED FOR 2022 soon. 


Every year on the third weekend of May, brave men and women take to Tom Lee Park and fire up their smokers for three days of intense barbecuing during the annual Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Assignment #139 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis is to join the fun.

Eat Waffles and Fish Pudding at the Calvary Waffle Shop

sampler plate at Calvary Waffle shop

Get ready for waffles, tomato aspic and fish pudding, people!

You may be giving up chocolate, caffeine, or swearing for Lent, but there's no reason to give up waffles. 

What Is The Memphis Calvary Waffle Shop?

Calvary Episcopal Church's Waffle Shop and Lenten Preaching Series is actually more than a tradition, it's an institution. Since 1928, the Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis has sold lunch in their basement on weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

365 Things to Do in Memphis #278: Ride the Ferris Wheel at Zoo Lights

ferris wheel at Memphis Zoo Lights

This year, see Zoo Lights from the top of a brightly lit 90-foot Ferris Wheel. It's assignment #278 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis, and it's a part of the annual holiday light display at the Memphis Zoo. 

Ferris wheels aren't normally my thing, but I got talked into riding the Ferris Wheel at Zoo Lights a few years ago. There are gondola-like carts (instead of the seats where your feet dangle freely), so the ride was super smooth.