901 Fest, Flying Saucer’s local beer challenge and more Saturday news

Memphis in May’s celebration of our city, 901 Fest, happens today in Tom Lee Park from 3 to 10 PM. While Music Fest brought in nationally and internationally known artists, 901 Fest showcases the talent of one of the premier music cities of the world, Memphis, Tennessee. Acts on four stages include The Band CAMINO, DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, Star & Micey, John Paul Keith, Opera Memphis, and many, many more.

The festival will also feature the best of local food, including Sushi Jimmi, Gus’s, Central BBQ, Muddy’s Bake Shop, Say Cheese, MEMpops, Reverb Coffee, and many more. (Yes there are Pronto Pups. They’re the one non-local thing about this festival, but Memphis in May knows what people want.) Local merchandise vendors will be at the fest selling their goods as well.

Pro tip: If you plan to go to 901 Fest, get there by 6 PM. There will be an airshow over the Mississippi.

If you go down there today, get a weather app on your phone with a radar loop of Downtown Memphis. The worst should hit tomorrow but this is Memphis in May we’re talking about; weather surprises are always a threat. I like the MemphisWeather.net app and it’s worth the small purchase price, but if you don’t want to pay, WeatherBug is good too.

Belle Tavern now has garage-door style, open-window seating just in time for the summer.

Speaking of bars with garage-door open-window seating, the Memphis Flyer has a good article on the Ghost Gauntlet at the Flying Saucer. Four unnamed local beers are temporarily on the menu. The idea is that within a couple of weeks, you go in and try all four. You can then vote on your favorite. The beer that gets the most votes will be added to the Saucer’s regular menu of 75 drafts and about 150 bottled and canned beers. While you’re there, grab one of the Saucer’s new gourmet burgers.

Here’s another insider tip: If you work Downtown, go there with a co-worker at lunch on Mondays. From 11 to 2 that day the burgers are 2 for 1.

The MBJ has an interactive map of hotels Downtown: current, under construction, and planned.

Parking meter rates Downtown will increase soon. The new price will be $1.50 an hour, up a quarter from the old rates. The hours of enforcement will be extended to 8 AM through 10 PM Monday through Saturday. Maximum time will be two hours on weekdays and four hours on Saturdays. Man that kinda sucks for those who come Downtown for Music Fest or some other all-day event… you’re basically forced to park on a private lot or in a garage now. I wonder how bad this will hurt Downtown businesses. Some people may decide they don’t want to deal with the additional cost and hassle of parking. I understand the city’s need to raise revenue but I do not see this as a positive for our neighborhood.

Sign the Change.org petition to remove Confederate statues from public parks in Memphis.

Here’s another good article about Trump’s Russian Mob ties. By the way, @TrueFactsStated is an excellent account to follow on Twitter if you want to learn more.

Time go get out there and get this 3-day weekend started. I have not decided whether to check out 901 Fest but that Sushi Jimmi food truck does seem to be calling my name.