5 Memphis in May 2023 Highlights

It’s every Memphian’s favorite time of the year, and the 2023 Memphis in May experience was another one for the books! From the newly redesigned Tom Lee Park to the singers on stage at BSMF, it was hard to narrow down our favorite aspects of this weekend-long community experience, but we had to give it a shot anyway. Here are Dr. Kyle and Dr. John’s top 5 Memphis in May highlights – and what to look forward to for next year! 

#1: New & Improved Tom Lee Park

The new and improved Tom Lee Park ranks number 1 on our list because of its permanent presence in the Memphis downtown district – which means many successful Memphis in May weekends for years to come!

If you’re a frequenter of downtown Memphis, you know construction has been a constant along the river line for almost two years. In fact, the $61 million dollar Tom Lee Park renovation project put Beale Street Music Festival in a new arena last year, but this year, nothing was stopping the city from hosting its favorite show in its traditional locale. 

Although the renovations were only 80% complete by Memphis in May weekend, stages, artists, and crowds showed up in droves to show Bluff City what was up. Tom Lee Park now boasts an all-new set of flora with over 1,000 delta-native trees, shrubs, and flowers. Its winding trails create interesting and accessible walkways for visitors, which no doubt enhanced the MIM experience.

#2: BSMF Lineup

As a member of the only all-orthodontist band, there’s no question that Beale Street Music Festival reigns supreme in Dr. Kyle’s mind. Luckily, Dr. John agrees – and so do most Memphians!

Memphis is a music city, born and bred, which is why BSMF stands out for its diverse crew of artists each and every year. In 2023, Memphis in May landed us with another outstanding set of musicians for three days of easy listening (or head-banging tunes, if that was more your style). 

Legends like Earth, Wind, & Fire and Robert Plant & Allison Krauss took the stage to deliver show-stopping performances – you can never go wrong with “September,” of course, and especially not when it’s live. Other highlights included Greta Van Fleet’s gravelly tenor, Gary Clark Jr.’s blues guitar, and Memphis native Glorilla for a night that will go down in Memphis history books. We hope you didn’t miss it! 

#3: Good Food at Barbecue Fest

It’s hard to have a Memphis-sanctioned party without digging into a little (a lot) of barbecue. And that’s exactly what we did. This four-day event channeled everyone’s inner chef and Southern food critic and sent everyone home with a little extra to work off before the summer truly hits. Since 1978, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest has challenged the greatest pitmasters to show off their skills in what has since been called the “Superbowl of Swine.” 

This year, we ate our way through the vendors’ tents and judged our favorite sauces and shoulders until we couldn’t eat anymore. And there’s really no better experience than that, in our opinion – as long as you have some dental floss on hand! 

#4: The Great American River Run 

After all that indulgence, we can’t say we aren’t looking forward to the chance to run it off, and the Great American River Run taking place on May 27th will help us do just that – whether we compete or watch!

Some may believe that Memphis in May is only a weekend long, but that’s not the case! With a 5k, 10k, and half marathon option for runners and walkers of all experience levels, this event offers serious prize money to whoever crosses the finish line first. 

This year, the Great American River Run will take place at Tom Lee Park on Memorial Day weekend. Participants will receive a medal, a t-shirt, and the chance to attend the after-party! 

#5: International Salute to Malaysia

Last but certainly not least comes Memphis in May’s salute to Malaysia! Every year, the board selects one country around the world to celebrate – and we loved learning about all that Malaysia has to offer! The entire festival was originally organized to feature educational events that bring a cultural aspect to the city and its students, allowing them to participate in a year of fun events, including a global curriculum, competitions, and even an international student exchange! 

Memphis in May 2024

Now that the festivities are almost over, we’re already looking forward to next year’s lineup. Although many of the names, event dates, and focus countries likely won’t be announced until late 2023, you can sign up for email updates using this link. 

We’re All Smiles In May!

May really is one of our favorite months in Memphis, but Saddle Creek Orthodontics makes patients smile all year round. We hope you enjoyed your 2023 Memphis in May experience, and we can’t wait to hear all about it at your next appointment! Call to schedule at our Germantown or Collierville offices today!