Your 4th of July Guide in Memphis 🇺🇸🎆🌭

Plus Elon's xAI set to be ready soon, Bishop and Longshot closing, and more!

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This is Memphis 〽️
July 03, 2024

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Happy 3rd of July, Memphians! Coming to you a day early this week because of Independence Day tomorrow.

We hope you have a fun 4th of July celebrating with friends, family, fireworks, and (hopefully) a cold body of water to jump in. 🇺🇸 

In today’s newsletter:

  • Guide to celebrating 4th of July in Memphis

  • Elon’s xAI set to open sooner than expected

  • More restaurant closings

And much more. Let’s get to it!

-Jonah Baer

🗞️ The Rundown

Elon’s xAI supercomputer opening VERY soon 🤖 

Elon Musk’s team is moving fast, as his xAI gigafactory is halfway complete and set to be ready by the end of July or early August. Originally, the supercomputer wasn’t supposed to be ready until 2025, so they are WAY ahead of schedule.

Also, they are reportedly 2 weeks away from having engineering plans and surveys ready for it's greywater plant. The plant would use sewage wastewater to cool the supercomputer (versus tapping into the Mississippi River).

For more information, read the story from the Daily Memphian here.*

Bishops and Longshot on South Main closes 🛑 

The French restaurant, which opened in Deember 2019 and is located in the Central Station Hotel downtown, is set to close this Sunday. But the hotel also announced that it will open a new restaurant experience this fall.

Also, one of the more well-known bars in Downtown Memphis, Longshot, closed this past weekend. We hate to keep sharing restaurant closings… it’s hard out there right now. So make sure you go support your favorite local spots!

But in some positive news, there’s a new Sakura opening up* in Lakeland this fall, its fourth location in the Memphis area.

Caleb Mills’ time for the Tigers is up 🏀 

The collegiate career for former Memphis Tiger Caleb Mills is finished, as the NCAA denied the U of M’s request for one more season of eligibility. Mills, who suffered a season-ending injury in January, will look for his next options now that his career with the Tigers is over.

*Indicates paid 3rd party source

🤸 4th of July Guide in the 901

SO many fun things to do for the 4th tomorrow with fireworks, parades, and BBQs. Here are our 9 favorites happening in the 901! 🇺🇸🎆🍻 

Where can you see Fireworks?

A quick rundown of 4th of July festivities across the Mid-South:

  • Memphis Redbirds “Red, White, and Boom” Celebration | Wednesday (tonight), 6 PM | AutoZone Park

    📸 Greg Campbell / The Daily Memphian file


    📸 What’s more American than baseball, BBQ, and fireworks? After the game against the Nashville Sounds tonight, there will be a massive fireworks display (supposedly the Redbirds biggest ever). Also, the first 1500 attendees will receive a free patriotic Redbirds bucket hat.

    Cost: Starting at $10; $30 for access to a buffet of burgers and hot dogs
    Get your tickets here.

  • Grind City Brewing Co. | Thursday, 12 PM (fireworks at 9 PM) | 76 Waterworks Ave.

    More fireworks happening downtown tomorrow! The first time in a few years we’ll see fireworks downtown on the 4th. Check out Grind City Brewery for some family fireworks fun.

    Learn more here.

  • Bartlett’s 2024 Fireworks Extravaganza | Tonight, 6 PM | Bobby K. Flaherty Municipal Center

    Learn more about Bartlett’s fireworks show happening tonight on the City of Bartlett’s website.

  • Collierville Independence Day Celebration | Tonight, 6 PM | H.W. Cox Park

    Find more info on the Collierville website.

  • 75th High Point Terrace Neighborhood Independence Day Celebration | Thursday, 9 AM | Northeast corner of Aurora Circle
     
    It’s Memphis’ longest-running 4th of July celebration, back for its 75th year. To enter the parade float line, line up at 8:45 AM on Aurora Circle. The parade ends at Cheffie’s Cafe.

    Learn more here.

  • Germantown’s Fireworks Extravaganza | Thursday, 5-10 PM | Municipal Park

    To learn more, click here.

  • Central Gardens Association July 4th Parade | Thursday, 9 AM | Starts at Immaculate Conception Cathedral parking lot

    Parade starts at 10:30 AM on York Ave. with the Memphis Second Line Jazz Band.

    Learn more here.

  • Cooper-Young 4th of July Parade | Thursday, 10 AM | Peabody Elementary

    The Cooper-Young Community Association is having a block party with a miniparade, ice-cold treats, face painting, and the Memphis Fire Department making an appearance.

    Learn more on their Facebook page.

  • Memphis’ “Liberty For All” Event | Tonight, 5 - 9 PM | Liberty Park

    This is the City of Memphis’ official 4th of July fireworks show with music, games, food trucks, and, of course, fireworks. The fireworks get started when the sun goes down.

    To learn more, click here.

For a complete list of 4th of July celebrations (including Mississippi shows we don’t cover here), check out this guide.

📸 Photo of the Week

📸 Alexandria Eddings in Memphis Pictures, Places, and People FB Group | “Taken downtown overlooking the new Tom Lee Park. The landscaping is beautiful.”

DM us on Instagram to have your photography showcased in the newsletter!

đź“° IG Post of the Week

It’s SCORCHING out there 🥵 ! Where are you swimming for this sweltering 4th of July holiday?

🌡️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Here’s what the weather is looking like this holday weekend:

Thursday

94 🌡️ 77 | 🌦️ | 61%

Friday

89 🌡️ 71 | 🌦️ | 61%

Saturday

90🌡️ 70 | ⛅️ | 5%

Sunday

90🌡️ 73 | ⛅️ | 18%

THANK YOU, MEMPHIS!

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See you next Thursday!

-The This is Memphis Team

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