Memorial Day weekend: Goings-on in the 901

Though Memorial Day started in the U.S. as a way to honor fallen U.S. Armed Forces members, the holiday weekend also unofficially marks the start of summer.

This is especially true in Memphis, as the National Weather Service projects a jump from mild temperatures in the 70s directly to highs in the 80s with even higher heat indices.

Below is a sample of Memorial Day weekend events, both indoor and outdoor.

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Throughout the weekend:

Free kayak rentals:

The Memphis River Parks Partnership is hosting free kayak rentals throughout the weekend; the kayak offerings start Friday night in the Wolf River Harbor.

Guests can rent a kayak for free for half an hour starting Friday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. or wait for a full free hour available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday.

To take advantage of the free rentals, just show up at the Mud Island Boat Ramp in Downtown Memphis during designated hours.

Shrooms, anyone?

The Memphis Mushroom Festival features dozens of events for all levels of mushroom fanatics and budding mycologists.

The three-day event takes place at Meeman-Shelby Forest Park starting Friday at 9 a.m. and continuing through Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Onsite camping is also available.

All 13,000 acres of the park will be devoted to embracing mushrooms through cooking demonstrations, foraging lessons, and sustainability education, among other events.

The festival also includes vendors, yoga sessions, coffee hours, and other camp-like activities.

Single-day tickets range between $20 and $25 and a multi-day pass is available for $50. For a complete breakdown of the festival's offerings, head over to the festival's website.

Friday, May 27

South Main Trolley Night:

Trolley Night season is upon us, which means that galleries, shops, and bars will open their doors for South Main patrons.

Trolley nights typically feature a range of live music and art viewings, all accessible by trolley.

Trolley Nights are free and open to the public and typically start around 5:30 p.m., lasting through 2:30 a.m.

Black Lodge Full Bar Celebration:

Memphis' iconic, independent video store relaunched in 2019 after a five-year hiatus and a move from the store's original Cooper Street location.

On Friday, Black Lodge will celebrate the addition of a full liquor license to go along with the kitchen by hosting an event featuring a comedy movie marathon leading into a dance party punctuated by boozy music videos from past decades.

Movie screenings start at 5:30 p.m. at the venue's Cleveland Street building. Screenings are free to attend.

Craig Brewer's Secret Screening:

Head over to Crosstown Concourse and catch a screening of a surprise film at the Crosstown Theatre.

Admission costs $5 per person, and the event will feature "special guests and surprises."

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. with music from WYXR. The screening starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 28

If you enjoy running in Memphis heat, consider the Great American River Run. Routed through Downtown Memphis, runners will pass by some of Memphis' landmarks.

Organized by the Memphis in May International Festival, the event includes a 5k, 10k, and half-marathon followed by an after-party. Races start at 7 a.m. and conclude around 10 a.m.

Participants must register before race day and early bird registration is $25. To register, visit the festival's website.

Marketplace in Motion at Loflin Yard:

Vendors selling art will set up shop at Loflin Yard in Downtown Memphis on Carolina Avenue. The day will also feature live music, food, and libations from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The event is organized by Arrow Creative and offerings will range from handmade jewelry to quilts, prints, and unique gifts.

Hoedown on Huling:

For the fifth year in a row, the South Main Arts District will host a giant block party with food trucks, live music, a dunk tank, and cornhole.

The party starts at South Main Street and Huling Avenue at noon and will last until 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Crawfish boil at Loaf:

Loaf, the airstream trailer known for featuring an array of international flavors and influences in menu items, will host a crawfish boil on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.

In line with their commitment to reimagining Southern staples, the crawfish boil will include lemongrass, smoky Chile, and spicy mala.

The Loaf food truck is parked on the property of First Congregational on Cooper Street. Parking is available off of Blythe Street.

Rainbow Rumble Drag Competition:

An unofficial kick-off to Pride month, Saturday's Rainbow Rumble drag show will feature entertainers gathered for KING NIGHT. Come for the drag competition, stay for the dancing.

The event will take place at Black Lodge starting at 7:30 p.m.

General admission is $15 and VIP tickets are available for $75.

Sunday, May 29

Sunset Symphony at the Overton Park Shell:

A Memphis tradition, Sunset Symphony has relocated to the recently renamed Overton Park Shell.

Join the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and conductor Robert Moody for an evening that showcases the talent of Memphis' symphony. Food and drink will be available on-site and guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the full experience of lounging in the park while listening to music.

The event is free to the public and starts the Shell's free summer concert series.

Dogs are allowed on leash in certain spaces.

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Fireworks at the Memphis Redbirds game:

Throughout Memorial Day weekend the Memphis Redbirds will face the Iowa cubs for the last three games of a seven-game stretch. Friday's game will start at 7:05 p.m. and both games on Saturday and Sunday will start at 6:35 p.m.

The weekend will also feature a fireworks display on Sunday night after sundown.

All games are family-friendly events, with varying prices. More information is available on Memphis Redbird's website.

Monday, May 30

Remembrance ceremony at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery:

The West Tennessee Veteran's Cemetery will honor fallen members of the United States Armed Forces with a flyover starting at 11:05 at the cemetery grounds at 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road.

The program also includes speakers following the flyover.

Memorial Day Car Show

Benefitting Chapter 1130 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the event features food, music and, of course, cars.

Chapter 1130 will use the proceeds from the car show to transform their property into a recreational, rehabilitative space for armed forces veterans.

The show will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Memphis Athletic Ministries Park Golf Course and is open to the public.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memorial Day weekend in Memphis: Where to go, what to do