Men, women and children of all ages!
If you’re looking for something different to do next weekend, the 15th annual Cooper-Young Festival is coming to Midtown on Saturday, Sept. 14, and this year there are a few new attractions.
Aside from the line-up of local musicians ranging from Planet Swan to Ruby’s Cube, there will also be a few almost-unheard-of bands such as Mutant Space Bats of Doom.
“I’m kind of intrigued by that band, with a name like the Mutant Space Bats of Doom,” said the festival’s director, Tamara Walker. “The Teresa Pate Trio is a really good show, too.”
Directors have added a third stage to the festival this year to accommodate the bands playing at the all-day event. Also, 32 booths have been added to the event.
Located in Memphis’ largest historic district on the corner of Cooper and Young, the festival will host both local and national artists and merchants showcasing their works in over 250 booths ranging from Fawn and Tino’s Tie-Dye clothing to hand-painted glass to ethnic and eccentric items.
The Festival Young Artist Contest entries will be on display in Java Cabana Coffeehouse, and the winners will be announced on the main stage at noon.
“We had over 362 young artists that participated this year,” Walker said. “The art we have on display is incredible.”
Walker said the weather will not be a problem.
“The weather is always beautiful for that day,” Walker said. “For the festival, the weather’s always nice.”
For those who love the food, the usual festival fare will be available for participants, including corn dogs, pizza, cokes and beer. Kimbrough Fine Wine and Spirits will also be serving wine close to the gazebo.
The festival opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. But for the revelers planning to stay out all night, Young Avenue Deli and Café Ole will be open until their regular late hours.
“Cooper-Young has turned into Memphis’ pastime,” Walker said. “There are always so many people walking down Young on weekend evenings.”
This year’s Cooper-Young festival will also be the site of the United States debut of the Volvo XC90, Volvo’s first sport utility vehicle.
Last year’s festival took place only three days after Sept. 11, but an estimated 45,000 people attended despite the terrorist attacks.
“We had a six vendors from New Orleans drop out because they were scared to fly, but those spots were filled immediately,” Walker said. “Sept. 11 did not affect attendance last year.”
For the first time, the local Ronald McDonald House will host a food drive at the festival and will accept canned goods or monetary donations to benefit the children of the Ronald McDonald House.
The children’s area has also undergone some improvements this year after one of last year’s main vendors dropped out because of Sept. 11 and left the directors somewhat unprepared for the number of children.
Krispy Kreme will attend in the morning, bringing 3,000 donuts and setting up a “dipping station” for children to dress their donuts as they wish. A rock climbing wall has been added for children and adults to climb on and have their pictures taken.
The children’s area will also have racecars, face painting, an obstacle course and a bouncing ball. Rocky the Redbird and his friend Jabberblabber will also make guest appearances throughout the day.
“The Grizzlies will be there selling tickets,” Walker said.
The festival has been a tradition in Midtown since the Cooper-Young Business Association first sponsored it in 1988.
A four-mile fun run will be held Sept. 13, at First Congregational Church as part of the pre-festival celebration. Registration will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the race begins at 7 p.m. A post-race party with live entertainment and refreshments will take place in the church’s parking lot.
Pre-festival events also include the Cooper Young Artist Invitational on Sept. 12 at 960 South Cooper, and the Young Artist Contest Reception on the same date at Java Cabana .
