Colors of Memphis - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Life of Memphis is rich in culinary events being of great interest and attraction for city guests. A visit to the city during one of the brightest and remarkable events will let to fully embrace the atmosphere of festivity and celebration of Memphis. All the national holidays are accompanied with many interesting and entertaining events. The most remarkable and well known city fest is the annual festival named Memphis in May.

The festival starts in early May and traditionally its opening features exciting Beale Street Music concerts. An established place for holding of the fest is the Beale Street. This is exactly the place where the monument commemorating music legend Elvis Presley is located. The large stages are placed around the monument to hold the performances of different music bands. The festival visit will be of great interest for fans of different music trends. Well-known musician in blues and soul trends, rock-bands and musician of R&B trend are only few of the festival participants as it features almost all music trends and directions.

After the gala opening of the festival the culinary and entertaining shows pick up the torch. Each year the festival is devoted to a culture of a certain country which makes the Memphis in May drastically change year by year. An impressive and remarkable event of the festival is the barbecue cooking competition fest. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Culinary experts and chefs come from all over the world to take part in this significant culinary event. Outdoor grills are put tight in the streets of the city. The tasting of gastronomy masterpieces takes place right in the streets as well. The main estimators of the cooking skills of culinary masters are usual passers-by who have a chance to fully enjoy astonishing dishes. The final day of the festival is called the Sunset Symphony.

This day city residents and guests commonly spend outdoors in the open air with friends and relatives. Almost all local people migrate to the nearest parks and gardens or in the country for picnicking. Only at nightfall they come back home to witness the farewell performance. Grand concert with famous musicians taking part and a great pyrotechnic show close the festival. Among other national fests and holidays tourists should also keep in sight the Italian festival taking place in a scenic park of Market. The most remarkable event of the summer is the Carnival Memphis which is as well accompanied with many bright parades and exciting culinary shows.

Where could be a better place to hold a festival dedicated to "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", if not in Memphis, where legendary Elvis Presley recorded his cult albums in Sun Studio? Of course, there is no better venue than Graceland Mansion, no less legendary than the performer himself, which is now turned into the Elvis Museum. On the day of the death of Elvis Presley (August 16), a series of events is held in the city to honor the legend. On the night of August 15-16, the museum is filled with the light of funeral candles, and during the festival days, they organize music concerts, Elvis look-alike contests, as well as an auction where things related to his life and work go under the hammer.

Of interest is the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival that takes place at the beginning of the first autumn month, when the central streets of the city are filled with fun. All thanks to music concerts, art exhibitions, dance performances, and local food tastings. At this time, the festival is attended by over one hundred thousand participants arriving from all over the United States. Opera lovers prefer to visit Memphis in early April when the Midtown Opera Festival starts here. The venue for the event is the Playhouse on the Square. The festival program involves not only concerts but also specialized competitions and masterclasses.

Mid-April is marked by such a wonderful gastronomic festival as the Memphis BrewFest, during which visitors gather on the bank of the picturesque Mississippi River and taste hundreds of beers - both from global producers and local manufacturers of craft drinks. Next month, in mid-May, the barbecue season opens along with the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest where participants coming from all over the United States compete for the title of best barbecue chef. Everyone can appreciate their skills in Tom Lee Park.

Families will be interested in visiting Memphis at the end of September when it hosts the Bartlett Festival with its colorful competitions for people of all ages, a hand-made art fair, an exhibition of artworks and cars, dozens of children's activities, as well as a salute marking the end of the festival. The beginning of October is marked by a 2-day event filled with pure fun. This is the Mempho Music Fest, during which one can taste local dishes and listen to good music in Shelby Farms Park. Camping is available during the festival, which is very good news for outdoor enthusiasts.