Part of the reason I write this blog is to make sure new Downtowners, and new Memphians, know about everything that is going on. Although it is not a Downtown event, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the annual Cooper-Young Festival happens Saturday in the southeast part of Midtown. This is a giant festival, stretching for half a mile down Cooper and two blocks down Young. This event is expected to draw over 130,000 people, with 435 booths up and down the streets. Booths include vendors selling arts and crafts as well as organizations handing out information. There is live music on multiple stages. There are food vendors and of course beer vendors as well.
Should you go? If you have never seen it, absolutely. It is quite the spectacle. If you don’t like any of the food vendors, there are many restaurants in the area offering indoor dining, and in some cases patio dining giving you a great view of the festival. Celtic Crossing in particular always does it up big for Cooper-Young. The neighborhood is among the most progressive/liberal in the city, so there’s plenty of opportunity to find out how to get involved with groups that address environmental, animal rights and LGBT issues. The people-watching is phenomenal. You’ll see some of the best tattoos ever.
As for me personally, though, I doubt I will attend this year. The festival has just gotten TOO big, too crowded, too many strollers. My friends and I went last year and lasted less than an hour before we were ready to leave. However, for people who feel the same way I do about Cooper-Young Fest, I have an insider tip for you, a hidden gem – Cooper-YORK Fest.
This is a festival on the corner of Cooper and York, just past Cooper-Young Fest’s northern boundary, on the parking lot of Memphis Made Brewing Co. Throughout the day there will be performances by DEVIL TRAIN, The Velvet Dogs, New Ballet Ensemble and School, and The Tinglers. Memphis Made will have its usual craft brews on sale, plus they will have some special limited-edition beers brewed just for this event. Two of Memphis’ best food trucks, El Mero Taco and Sushi Jimmi, will be on hand all day. If you are looking for an outdoor festival with a more intimate feel than Cooper-Young, this might be the party for you.
In other news, the Hospitality HUB is starting a jobs program for area panhandlers and homeless. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a van will pick up homeless and panhandlers in Downtown and Midtown and take them to locations where they will perform 5 hours of work at $9 an hour pay. They will work with the Public Works program to clean up blight. The homeless/panhandlers will also receive lunch. The program is patterned after one in New Mexico. This is a great program for those who got a bit down on their luck and genuinely want to be working, contributing members of society on their way to a better place in life. The bums on the corner who just want to beg for money for their next liquor bottle (if you live down here, you know the people I am talking about) probably won’t be applying to be part of this work program. If you want to donate to sustain this program, you can do so here.
The monthly Downtown safety meeting has been scheduled for 6:00-7:30 PM in the High Point Ballroom at 330 North Main. Come share your safety concerns and get information you can use.
Cerrito Trivia is bringing the Match Game to the Rec Room September 20. It will be based on the popular TV show. RSVP/reserve tickets (free) here.
That’s it for now… getting a haircut after work then will be out at Silly Goose for happy hour.