MEMPHIS IN MAY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Why not join the 100,000 people heading for Tennessee for the “Memphis in May International Festival.” The highlight of this Mid-America Party is the world-famous World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest from 15 May to 17 May 2008. Apart from the Barbecue Contest there are nightly performances of Country, R&B and Blue Grass Music on the Festival’s main stage.
Thursday, May 15 kicks off in the evening with “The Lighting of the Grill” followed by the annual Ms Piggie Contest. Considered the most hilarious event of the week. If it is not too embarrassing, you can watch grown men dressed as Ms Piggie wearing tutus and false snouts parading around and singing (?) well known songs with less familiar lyrics about pork, grilling and barbeque’s in general. The winner being declared later in the evening.
On both the Thursday and the Friday the foodies can join the Kingsford Cooker Caravan for a tour behind the scenes and see the Championship Teams in action. The tour will provide cooking information, a chance to see techniques and speciality grills, collect tips on how you can improve your own backyard barbecue technique to enable you to impress the neighbours back home.
On the Thursday and Friday you can also visit the People’s Choice Tent, sample barbecue from award-winning teams and cast your vote in the Championship. Staff will advise you on how to become a barbecue judge. Best come hungry!
Memphis has many other great attractions for you during your visit. Many will know that Memphis is the location of Graceland Mansion, the home of Elvis Presley the undisputed King of Rock n’ Roll. Graceland is one of the most visited houses in the United States - second only to the White House. It is visited by 600,000 visitors annually and houses Elvis’s collection of aircraft, automobiles and motor cycles.
On the subject of Rock n’ Roll, visit the Sun Studio which lays claim to be the birthplace of R&R and launched the careers of stars such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis himself.
Memphis will always be remembered for the Civil Rights Movement in America and the former Lorraine Motel houses the National Civil Rights Museum. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on the steps of the motel.
The days of cotton plantations are brought to life in the Cotton Museum located on the trading floor of the old Cotton Exchange Building.
The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities in the Southeast and with exciting exhibits and dioramas allows visitors to explore the culture, society and natural history of the Mid-South.
Do not miss the opportunity to see great views of downtown Memphis, the great Mississippi River and Mud Island from the Swiss-built monorail which travels from Memphis center to Mud Island. Built in 1982, the monorail is 1700ft above ground and travels at the supersonic speed of 7MPH! Mud Island itself is a unique exhibit of the geology of the Mississippi. Your trip would not be complete without a ride on the mighty river on board the Memphis Queen
Finally, for the family there is the Lichterman Nature Centre, the Memphis Botanic Gardens and the Memphis Zoo which all provide an entertaining and educational experience for all the family.
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