Memphis has some unpredictable weather. Until September. Then it goes from 150% humidity to simply 90 degrees fahrenheit. The second weekend of September brings not only the coming of Autumn, but the promise of festivals. Memphis locals know this means the Cooper/Young Festival in the neighborhood of the same name.
After recently turning thirty years of age, I have gained a vast knowledge base that is worth sharing with the world. Such knowledge is bestowed as a survival guide below.
This Festival Survival Guide gives you a step-by-step on how to secure a successful day in the Memphis sun.
Follow these steps for maximum entertainment efficiency:
1. Forget your sunblock as you leave the house. This is crucial, as you will have constant anxiety about getting sunburn throughout your stay perusing every booth with the whole family.
2. Parking will never be easy. This is the annual Flooding of Automobiles in and around the Cooper/Young Neighborhood, after all.
3. Pronto Pup or Funnel Cake? You may only choose one.
4. Selfies. Selfies with friends, with coworkers, and with the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence: Blue Suede Sisters chapter. In any order you choose.
5. Remember that there is always a bottled water at hand. As long as you don’t mind spending $2 a pop along with those pronto pups and funnel cakes. This and beer are vital in staying hydrated.
6 7 8. Multiple conversations while running into everybody you know is a must!
9. In the middle of two of those conversations (no more, no less), there must be at least one family melt-down. With one worn out child letting a Mem-Pop popsicle melt on the sidewalk.
10. Look good for the photographers. Especially at high noon when you and your family are sweating.
11. Don’t listen to the other locals about how gentrified this festival has become. They don’t know what they’re talking about. This event needs to burst at the seems year after year!
Thank you for reading the 2019 edition of the Cooper/Young Festival Survival Guide. Now, where’s your sunblock?
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The Cooper/Young Festival has been growing and going on for more than 30 years. Local artists sell their wears on this bright day at the tail end of summer. While this survival list is made in jest, it is meant to bring attention to the fact that larger companies have made their way into the maze of tents. Growth is good, but for years it has become gentrified to the point of bursting out of the neighborhood. While crowd shots may be lackluster, there are still interesting subjects to be found.
