Memorial Day in Memphis: Young Dolph, the Sunset Symphony and more things to do

Congress did not declare Memorial Day a national holiday until 1971.

By that time, however, a government-abetted "memorial day" of some sort already was a tradition in many parts of the country. In some places, Memorial Day had been observed since almost the end of the Civil War, and was commonly known as "Decoration Day" — a day to decorate with flowers and ribbons and mementos the graves of loved ones killed in military service.

Few Memphis-area Memorial Day events focus on "the reason for the season," to apply a Christmas cliche to a patriotic holiday. But maybe enjoying music and food and flowers is as meaningful a way to acknowledge a loved one's sacrifice as any manifestation of military-style pomp and spectacle.

So, here are some events with music and food and flowers and more, that you can enjoy this Memorial Day weekend.

Experience Memphis Gardens: Through July 2

An ambitious new event that celebrates the city's "botanical brilliance" by inviting people to tour more than 170 public and private gardens in 16 neighborhoods over 26 days, "Experience Memphis Gardens" focuses on Cancer Survivors Park on May 26, East Memphis on May 27 and the Berclair/High Point area on May 28. For more information and tickets, visit experiencememphisgardens.org.

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South Main Trolley Night: May 26

A Memphis tradition is back, as restaurants, shops, art galleries and other businesses along the historic South Main District open their doors or set out sidewalk booths and tables for "Trolley Night," an event intended to encourage people to come Downtown and take a stroll (or take a trolley). Expect live music to be featured at several spots. Trolley night begins at 6 p.m. and continues until about 9.

Dolphland Pop-Up Museum: May 26 and May 28

Friday and Sunday apparently are the final days to visit "Dolphland," a pop-up museum at Agricenter International at 7777 Walnut Grove that celebrates the life and legacy of Adolph Thornton Jr., better known as "Young Dolph," the Memphis hip-hop star who was shot and killed in a Nov. 17, 2021, ambush. The museum features a bullet-riddled car door, a classic Greco-Roman style bust of the rapper and more. For tickets and more information, visit thedolphlandmuseum.com.

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Great American River Run: May 27

The final major event of the Memphis in May International Festival, the River Run transforms Downtown into a combination party/athletic contest, with races (including a 10K) that start and end at Handy Park on Beale Street. To register or for more information, visit memphisinmay.org.

'Cinematic Jazz' with Alex Greene & the Rolling Head Orchestra: May 27

An indefatigable and indispensable longtime presence on the Memphis music scene, Greene during the past few years has composed original scores for such silent films as "Aelita: Queen of Mars" and Buster Keaton's "The Cameraman," for screenings at the Crosstown Theater and at The Grove at the Germantown Performing Arts Center. For this special 7:30 p.m. show at Crosstown, the Green Room becomes, in essence, the Greene Room, as Alex and his "orchestra" (which include many of Memphis' essential players, on both expected and eccentric instruments) present a concert consisting of highlights of the "cinematic jazz" created for the films. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit crosstownarts.org.

Memphis Showboats: May 28

The Bluff City's latest professional football team, the ascendant resurrected Showboats of the new-edition USFL, return to action Sunday, in a game against the Houston Gamblers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. Most tickets are only about $10 each; and at this game, a USFL hat will be given to the first 3,000 attendees. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

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The Sunset Symphony: May 28

Nature abhors a vacuum; apparently, classical musicians do, too. The sun set on the once epic Memphis in May International Festival Sunset Symphony in 2015, but the tradition of an end-of-the-month sunset symphony continues, in Overton rather than Tom Lee Park. Part of the Orion Free Concert Series at the Overton Park Shell, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Picnic baskets, beverages, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. For more information, visit overtonparkshell.org.

West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony: May 29

A patriotic tribute to the American military personnel whose sacrifice inspired the end-of-May memorial observances that became a tradition across the United States starting in the late 19th century, this event begins at 11 a.m. at the cemetery at 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road and will include a performance by the Bartlett Community Band. For more information, visit westtennesseeveterans.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memorial Day in Memphis: Things to do over the holiday weekend