Memphis in May announces new schedule, ‘Memphis In October’

Memphis in May is now Memphis in October as organizers have pushed back the monthlong salute to Ghana to May 2021.

Organizers announced a new fall schedule for the popular festival that was forced to change because of the coronavirus.

Memphis in May officials made the decision to move ahead with the festival, despite a projected $2 million loss for 2020 fiscal year. And, for this year only, it will be renamed Memphis in October.

James Holt, president and CEO of Memphis in May, said in a release:

“For 44 years, Memphis in May has been a revenue generator for the City of Memphis, particularly through the business it brings to our tourism industry’s key segments of lodging and hospitality,

With the difficult times, those businesses are facing now, we felt it was more important than ever that we do our part to help revitalize the local economy.

The Memphis in May events are a source of civic pride and unity for Memphis and the Mid-South, and this fall will certainly be the time for our community to come together.”

“By rescheduling these events and still having them it really benefits the city of Memphis because, after this is all behind [us], we are going to need a reason to celebrate and we are going to need a big party. We are going to need a big economic stimulus that our events provide to the local economy,” he added.

The Beale Street Music Festival — the signature event of Memphis in May (MIM) which has Ghana’s Stonebwoy and Sarkodie on the lineup will now take place Oct.16-18.

MIM officials aren’t ready to reveal artist names for the reshuffled event but said 42 of the 65 performers on the original lineup have confirmed for October.

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