MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UPDATE 3/25/2021 - Tickets are set to go on sale Monday, March 29, 2021 for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Read below for more information:
(FROM MEMPHIS IN MAY) - Changes to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (WCBCC) and Great American River Run (GARR) are planned to accommodate the expected COVID19 restrictions that will be in place at the time of each event.
Memphis in May received approval for the events to move forward from the Shelby County Health Department for the events after presenting comprehensive health and safety guidelines to address COVID19 concerns. The modifications will result in a smaller and different World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and Great American River Run.
Memphis in May will meet or exceed all guidelines and health mandates outlined by the Shelby County Health Department. The safety of our ticket holders, teams, runners, volunteers, staff and sponsors is our top priority. Updates will be shared as they are available.
“We’re excited to be back in Tom Lee Park even though the World Championship will be somewhat muted,” said James Holt, President & CEO, Memphis in May International Festival. "We've made significant changes and downsizing so we can safely produce our two events for all involved. We’re back and we couldn’t be happier."
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest – May 12 -15, 2021
Shelby County Health Department-approved modifications for WCBCC include significantly reducing overall capacity, reducing the number of competition teams, drastically reducing General Admission tickets, expanding the team spaces, reducing operating hours, temperature screening, face mask requirements, social distancing and other safety protocols.
WCBCC Tickets on sale March 29
A limited quantity of General Admission Tickets to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will go on sale March 29, 2021 at 10 AM via Eventbrite and via link available at www.memphisinmay.org.
WCBCC General Admission tickets are expected to sell out quickly due to capacity restrictions. Tickets will not be available at the gate. All tickets must be purchased in advance.
Great American River Run – Saturday, May 29, 2021 Memorial Day Weekend
Shelby County Health Department-approved modifications for GARR include limiting capacity, staggering start times, no gathering before/after race, temperature screening, requiring face masks when not running, social distancing, discouraging spectators and other safety protocols.
Registrations for the half-marathon, 10K and 5K are open now: https://www.memphisinmay.org/events/great-american-river-run/
The Beale Street Music Festival and the international Salute to Ghana will be held in May 2022.
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12/18/2020 = Due to the continuing threat of COVID 19, adjustments have been made to the 2021 Memphis in May event calendar as the effects of the pandemic are expected to extend into the spring.
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will proceed as planned May 12-15, 2021 with strict COVID19 protocols in place. The World Championship will be somewhat different and possibly smaller with capacity restrictions that may be in place at that time. Team applications are now open.
Great American River Run is set for Memorial Day Weekend, May 29, 2021 with COVID19 protocols in place. Adjustments for the run will include a rolling start to space runners with staggered start times. Runner registration is now open.
Beale Street Music Festival will be moved to May 2022. The move is due to the nature of the event, gathering tens of thousands of fans in front of stages and the event falling earlier in the calendar year. Large scale music festivals and concerts remain deeply affected by the pandemic across the globe, Memphis is no exception, and it may not be safely possible until much later in the year. Ticket holders can defer their tickets to 2022 and lock-in prices from 2020 or request a full refund by visiting www.memphisinmay.org/events/beale-street-music-festival/.
Festival officials announced the changes to responsibly present as much of the traditional Memphis in May events as possible while planning for anticipated COVID19 protocols in the interest of public safety. The decision was made during a special session of the Board of Directors held earlier this week. The health and safety of our fans, teams, runners, volunteers, staff, sponsors, vendors, and the public are always our top priority.
“We are disappointed with the postponement of the Beale Street Music Festival to 2022, but we feel we cannot safely replicate the experience that our fans know and love with the potential COVID 19 restrictions.” said James L. Holt, President & CEO of Memphis in May International Festival, “However, because of the nature of our other two Tom Lee Park events, we are confident that we can safely present the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Great American River Run with adjustments for COVID.”
The international Salute to Ghana, slated for May 2021, faces significant challenges because of the global pandemic. The nature of the salute is based on bringing people and cultures together for a meaningful exchange, which is problematic because international travel has been severely reduced and visa processing halted since March in addition to other COVID 19 concerns.
“It is our desire to present a salute befitting the great nation of Ghana and share it’s wonderful culture with Memphians.” said Charles Ewing, 2020 & 2021 Memphis in May International Festival Board Chair, “We are aware that a change will be necessary because of the pandemic.
We are in communication with Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah of Ghana in Washington, D.C. as well as officials at the U.S. Embassy in Accra and a decision on how best to proceed will be made by the Board of Directors in January.”
Memphis in May International Festival exists to produce a civic festival celebrating Memphis culture and to elevate the city’s profile on the international stage. Memphis in May is the official festival of the City of Memphis and a source of civic pride since 1977. Our most recent economic impact studies from 2017 through 2019 revealed Memphis in May generated a significant $398 million impact for Memphis and Shelby County along with $11.2 million in local tax revenue.
The Memphis in May International Festival cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic resulted in a massive 1.8-million-dollar financial loss for the organization this year.
Memphis in May International Festival will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2021 and will need the broad support that the organization has enjoyed for over four decades.
2021 Memphis in May International Festival Dates
- World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest May 12 – 15, 2021
- Great American River Run May 29, 2021
- Salute to Ghana May 1-31, 2021 - pending
- Beale Street Music Festival Moved to May 2022
