Memphis in May fest will celebrate city’s anniversary
The Memphis in May International Festival has honored various countries during its more than four decades of history, with past honorees including Japan, Venezuela, Kenya, India and most recently the Czech Republic.
But in 2019, the festival is changing things up by honoring a different place: Memphis and Shelby County.
The year 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the city of Memphis. And by coincidence, the date of the city’s founding falls in the month of May.
“If any one day is to be commemorated as the founding date for Memphis, May 22 (1819) is probably the best choice,” James Roper, then-president of the West Tennessee Historical Society, wrote in a 1970 book about the city’s founding. “On this day, with the town survey apparently completed, the first lots are conveyed, and temporary certificates of title are issued.”
The 200th anniversary gives the international festival a chance to pivot, organizers say.
“As the official festival of the City of Memphis, our board of directors understood what an historic opportunity this was for Memphis in May to break from tradition and celebrate a new century for Memphis,” James L. Holt, President and CEO of Memphis in May, said in a statement. “Each year we celebrate the rich history and culture of another country here in Memphis, but this year we look forward to celebrating the history and culture of our hometown as only Memphis in May can.”
The festival generally organizes a wide range of public celebrations. Besides the music festival, other events associated with the festival include the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and various lectures, movies and concerts.
And the festival announced financial results for the 2018 year. It had what it described as record-setting gross revenues of $10.9 million and a surplus over expenses of $523,000.
Much of the money came from the Beale Street Music Festival, which had 102,507 ticket holders and what the organization described as a record-setting $4.5 million admissions gross.
The organization announced that architect Barry Alan Yoakum will serve as the board chair for the 2019 festival.
“Barry is a lifelong Memphian who is passionate about the City of Memphis and the Memphis in May Festival. So it is only fitting that he should be board chair this year, when we break from tradition and honor the City of Memphis and Shelby County in our month-long salute,” Holt said in a statement.