The annual Memphis in May International Festival is set to return to the city this summer. The month-long celebration of the food, culture, and spirit of Memphis will entertain the crowd while upholding the city’s heritage. Maintaining the tradition, festivities will start this year in May.
Highlights
- The festival features the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Great American River Run, offering activities for all ages.
- This will celebrate ‘10 years of running’ of the ‘Great American River Run.’
- South Korea has been selected for this year’s ‘International Salute’ at the Memphis festival.
Annual Cultural Celebration of Memphis
Memphis in May International Festival is a four-decade-old cultural event focused on taking the city’s heritage to new heights. Every year, food and culture lovers from around the world make their way to the month-long celebration.
The festival is driven towards contributing to the growth of Memphis’s downtown community and promoting its rich heritage. As the mid-south region’s largest annual event, it strengthens civic pride through group-based activities involving food and culture.
Attractions of the Memphis in May International Festival 2025
Memphis in May International Festival is a few days away from its celebrations this year. Organizers have come up with exciting barbecue and run events that will impress the Memphis crowd.
World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest
Participants of the barbeque cooking contest at Memphis in May International Festival (Source: @memphisinmayinternationfestivalfacebook)
The heart and soul of Memphis lies in its food and culture. Barbecue especially stands out with the city’s recognition for its ribs and pulled pork. This is why Memphis hosts a BBQ event every year through the Memphis in May International Festival.
Participants from different countries can present their mouthwatering BBQ items from May 14 this year. Fighting for the ‘Memphis in May World Champion’ title, they will have to prepare pork dishes for four categories – ribs, whole hog, patio porkers, and shoulder.
Organizers have also come up with ancillary competitions of sauce, hot wings, and ‘anything but pork.
Other barbecue events that will impress the Memphis crowd this year include ‘The Flava Faceoff of Memphis.’ There will also be a ‘Junior Barbeque Cooking Contest’ for kids aged from 9 to 17.
Great American River Run
Participants of the Great American River Run (Source: @memphisinmayinternationfestivalfacebook)
Celebrating the Memorial Day Weekend, organizers of the Memphis in May International Festival will return with this annual running event. All levels of runners, including athletes, families, and beginners, can make their way to the Memphis event.
The attendees can go for different races, including a half marathon, 5K, or 10K. After the race, the winners of the Memphis crowd can get a medal. Along with it, they can get a race shirt, food, and beer while running along the Mississippi River.
This year is special for the Great American River Run as it will be celebrating ‘10 years of running.’
International Salute
Memphis in May International Festival celebrates its relationship with a different country every year, so as to promote amicable bonds globally. This year, event organizers have chosen South Korea for its increasing presence in Greater Memphis and have invested over $85 million since 2019.
Date, Timings, & Location
The different barbecue events will be held from May 14 to May 17 at Liberty Park. One can select their preferred timings by buying the tickets on the festival’s official website.
The Great American River Run will be held on May 24 along the Mississippi River. Timings for the running event are as follows.
- Gear Check & Registration – 5:30 a.m.
- Half Marathon – 7:00 a.m.
- 10K – 7:30 a.m.
- 5K – 7:30 a.m.
The Memphis in May International Festival, 2025, promises to be a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. Be it the sizzling BBQ competition or the milestone 10th-year celebration of the Great American River Run, the month-long event emerges as a must-attend event this summer.
