Five Things To Do This Weekend in Memphis: August 30th - September 1st

No rest for the weary during Memphis Labor Day weekend events — but there will be a picnic (or two), laughs, and a splash.

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WLOK Black Film Festival

Thursday, August 29 - Sunday, September 1

Various Locations

—and—

WLOK Stone Soul Picnic

Saturday, August 31, noon-7 p.m.

Levitt Shell, Overton Park

You know it's Labor Day weekend when the WLOK Stone Soul Picnic unites the community at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park. That's one full day — packed tight like Grandma's pickles in a Mason jar — of R&B and gospel, local food trucks, vendors, kiddie rides, and awards.

And bring grandma's pickles. Picnic baskets welcome.

The film festival has something for everyone in every part of town. From Malco Paradiso out east, Crosstown in Midtown, the Civil Rights Museum Downtown, and other venues. Enjoy films by Black film makers, about the Black experience, or with Black artists in leading roles during the four-day Labor Day weekend.

Delta Fair and Music Festival

Agricenter International, 105 S. Germantown Rd.

August 30 - September 8

Did you know that 55 percent of Americans left a total of 768 million vacation days unused in 2018 and 818 hotdogs are eaten every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day?

My suggestion to you hard-working Americans — take a vacation day and start adding to the hotdog consumption at the Delta Fair and Music Festival.

There will be live music from rock to bluegrass, the Royal Hanneford Circus, fair food galore, livestock shows, competitions, and the Delta Dash 5K and 10K.

The fair has something for everyone.

The Detectives Comedy Dinner Theatre

Atomic Tiki, 1545 Overton Park

Friday, August 30, 7-9 p.m.

I'm just going to say it. Some folks like to avoid crowds. And Labor Day festivals are very crowded. Here's something you might like — solving crimes in comedic style with dinner included.

It's at the Atomic Tiki, if that sweetens the pot.

3rd Annual RL Boyce Picnic and Blues Celebration

Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1

Como, Mississippi

We have soul and gospel at the Stone Soul Picnic and we have rock and country at Delta Fest. No celebration of Labor Day would be complete without some blues.

Might be time to shake ’em on down to Mississippi.

Como Bluesman RL Boyce was first recorded in 1970. He played drums on his 15th birthday, accompanying his Uncle Othar Turner's Fife and Drum Band. In 2019 RL invites all to celebrate his 64th birthday at a traditional Mississippi Family Picnic.

The opening reception on Saturday features photos and films by Yancey Allison at the Como Public Library, 104 Main St. Then Boyce and friends jam live at Como Catfish Bar and Grill for a $10 donation.

Hold on to your PBR, because on Sunday Boyce, family, and friends regroup as the Fife and Drum Band marching through Como Park where the birthday lineup features Lil’ Joe Ayers, Andrea Staten, Jeffery Evans, Garry Burnside 78Band, Beverly Davis, Steve Tony, Kody Harrell, Australia Neal, Greg & Show Time, Dom Turner, Tracy Hullette, Eric Deaton Trio, Kenny Kimbrough, and others.

The show is free. Bring a cooler.

Crosstown Splashdown

Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Ave.

Saturday, August 31, noon-5 p.m.

An end-of-summer party with live music by The Love Boat and Tiger City DJ, sprinklers, sandboxes, yard games, mermaids, jellyfish on stilts, and free snow-cones for everyone. Enjoy nautical/fantasy-themed pool floats for fountain play.

Sounds cool!

Since we have an extra weekend day on Monday, check out the Chick-fil-A 5K on September 2nd benefiting Junior Achievement of Memphis. You've heard it's chicken one day and feathers the next — this event is all chicken with a post -ace party at AutoZone Park.

For a full list of what’s happening this weekend in and around Memphis, check out our calendar of events.  Also, be sure to tag your favorite Instagram photos of Memphis while you are out and about with the #memphismagazine hashtag. I hope you have a great weekend.