Autumn in Memphis is an exciting time. Thousands of tourists and residents flock to all parts of the city every year to enjoy the many festivals that come with the cooler fall weather.
One of the most popular is the Cooper-Young Festival. This is the 18th year for the festival, which is held in midtown Memphis.
Though the actual festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 17th, activities began Thursday with the Cooper-Young Young Artists Contest. The contest was open to all area students in grades 1-12. After the contest a reception was held at Peabody Elementary where winners were awarded cash prizes in three age groups.
Also on Thursday, The New Ballet Ensemble studio at the Ice House hosted an exhibit showcasing local artists in the Cooper-Young area. The exhibit featured painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, mosaics and other arts and crafts.
Friday will feature the Festival Friday 4-Miler, a four-mile race that begins and ends at First Congregational Church on S. Cooper Street and Walker Avenue. A post-race party will be held to reward the winners.
Saturday is "Festival Day." More than 300 venders from across the country will set up booths to display their arts and crafts. There will be a children's area with rides, games and face painting.
There will be an International Bazaar and Mid-South Rock Climbing will have a Bungee Jump/Rock Climbing wall.
For the more adventurous, the 2005 Ducks Unlimited Expo offers everything from canoeing and archery, to an ESPN-like jumping contest for dogs.
"The thing that's unique (about the expo), is that it's really family friendly," said Gregg Patterson, director of communications for Ducks Unlimited.
"There are numerous activities to allow people to participate," he said.
Dog trainer Mike Stewart will be present to offer his services to dog owners. Stewart is the owner of Wild Rose Kennels in Oxford, Miss., and is known for training Drake, the canine mascot for Ducks Unlimited. The Ducks Unlimited Expo is this weekend at Agricenter International.
U of M students often take advantage of these and other festivals to take a break from the rigors of school or to spend time with friends.
Edward Cohen, a sophomore business sales major, said he plans to go to the Cooper-Young festival.
"I'm going to go just to get out," he said. "There's nothing to do in Memphis."
Sophomore Anna Tate, a biology major, plans to go to Oktoberfest as well as Cooper-Young. Tate plans to go to Oktoberfest to celebrate her German heritage and hang out with fellow students.
"It's just a fun thing to do with friends," she said.
Other festivals coming soon to the Memphis area include the Mid-South Fair, Sept. 23-Oct. 2; the Pink Palace Crafts Fair, Oct. 6-9; and the Tipton County B-B-Q Festival Oct. 13-15.
