Tuesday News Update: Hot Air Balloons, Positive Press, Disney at Graceland...Ain't It Good?!
There's a lot of good news in Memphis! Here are this week's highlights.
There's a lot of good news in Memphis! Here are this week's highlights.
If you need a soundtrack while you read this quick roundup of positive and happy stories from around Memphis—check out our theme song, “Ain’t It Good?!”, by Eddie Floyd and Mavis Staples.
SUBMIT YOUR GOOD NEWS TO [email protected]
One More Chance! Believe Memphis!
The Grizzlies will host a reservation-only Playoffs Game 5 Watch Party at the Fourth Bluff this Wednesday. Festivities start at 7:30 p.m., tipoff at 8:30 p.m. Reserve your space here, bring your chairs, blankets. They’ll have concessions. We play the Utah Jazz and we have to win this one or our season is over. —HW
Beale Street Whiskey Trail This Weekend
Get ready, Tennessee whiskey lovers! This weekend, Beale Street will host the first Beale Street Whiskey Trail this Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6. Here’s the super fast version: $5 tasting cocktails available at 8 different bars. Sign up online here, check in at 4 bars minimum over the weekend, and win prizes! —HW
Plan Ahead For July 4th
I Love Memphis has a guide to all the fireworks, parades, and fun happening for Independence Day this year in the Memphis area. We are still waiting on some info, but we’ll keep the guide updated as we approach July 4th, 2021. —HW
Whataburger Is Coming To Southaven and Cordova
The nostalgic Southern burger chain is coming to the Mid-South! I will be running there on opening day to get my fave secret menu item, the honey bbq chicken strip sandwich *drool*.
—EH
Hot Air Balloons + Father’s Day
If you’ve been dying to have a Lee Scoresby hot air balloon moment, now is your chance! The Bluff City Balloon Jamboree is happening June 19-20. Read more. —EH
Memphis Featured In A French magazine
Ooh la la, Memphis is getting a little love from France! The Arcade was featured in Le Monde magazine, read all about what they call “the 1950’s diner stuck in time” here. —EH
MSN features Memphis as a long weekend escape
Memphis is the BEST weekend getaway, but I’m totally not biased or anything… anyways read about some hot spots to hit on a road trip here. —EH
Edible Memphis: Black Owned Restaurants Edition
Get Excited! Our favorite Memphis foodie website, Edible Memphis, will release a fresh new hard copy magazine this weekend. The theme is Black-Owned Restaurants. Follow them on Instagram for details on how to pick up your free copy! —HW
Groundbreaking on Liberty Park
Liberty Park, a new multi-use sports complex at the Fairgrounds, broke ground May 25 and is scheduled to be completed in late 2022. In addition to a ton of sports fields/gyms/courts, hotels and apartments, we’ll have a "High 5" entertainment spot with laser tag, axe throwing, bowling, golf simulators, virtual reality, video game arcade. —EH
Nomadic Matt Love
Travel expert and author Nomadic Matt included Memphis in his 21-Day Deep South road trip itinerary. He suggests stops at the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studios, Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, Beale Street, Graceland, and makes several legit restaurant recommendations. Thank for the love, Matt! —HW
Disney At Graceland!
Disney World is 12 hours away, it’s hard for Memphians to easily experience the park’s magic. Luckily for us, Disney is coming to us via Graceland! From tea parties to trivia, The Disney Archives Exhibit will have it all from July 23 through January 2, 2022! —EH
Full Moon Kayaks are back!
Full Moon Kayak is in Full Swing (Paddle) for Summer! Full Moon evenings are every month, weather permitting, on June 25, July 23, August 21, September 18, and October 20. —EH
New Vinyl Shop at A. Schwab
A. Schwab on Beale is launching a new “All Memphis Then & Now” Memphis vinyl record collection, curated by local musicians and music experts. You’ll now be able to shop all Memphis vinyl, from every era and every genre—they’re also having a Launch Party for the new section on Record Store Day, June. 12. Details. —HW
The Fests Are Back!
A few of our favorite fall events have recently announced dates for 2021:
- Gonerfest 18 is September 23-26, 2021, and tickets are on sale now.
- Craft Food & Wine Festival is back on November 23rd and tickets are on sale.
- Don’t forget that wing fest is coming up on August 28!
Free Hot Dogs at Redbirds Games
Every fan gets a free hot dog, chips, and soda at Friday games in June! —EH
SOME QUICK HOUSEKEEPING
My colleague Elizabeth Hornor and I work together on this weekly update, so going forward you’ll see that reflected by the sign-off initials for each bit of news. PLEASE submit your local good news by emailing her [email protected] with the subject line “Ain’t It Good”. **
** More about submitting: We’re looking for nonprofit successes, random victories, acts of kindness, rescued baby animals, positive national news coverage of Memphis…any thing that brings joy and brags a little on the people of our city. Send it in, and your story could appear on a future blog post!
Ed. Note: Special thanks to Kevin Brewer for the “Ain’t It Good” song suggestion and to Elizabeth Hornor for her assistance with this article.
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