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With fall moving into the Mid-South, it’s also the season for festivals and fun, family-friendly events. This weekend is no different. So to help you decide what to do on these gorgeous weekends with the kiddos, we listed our three favorite events you should check out this weekend. Movie Night at the Grotto **Unfortunately, this movie series has been cancelled. It might not sound like a good way to spend a Saturday evening, but the Grotto at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery is beautiful. The Crystal Shrine is one of many of Memphis’ hidden gems, having been overlooked by tourists and locals alike for the past 75 years.
grotto5
Memphis Memorial is beautiful. A must see for tourists and locals alike!
Before the movie, guests can take a peek inside the Grotto where there are sculptures and scenes created by local artists that depict the ministry of Jesus Christ while on this earth. Guests mosey through this area and then can walk along the water with its beautiful landscaping. Be sure to bring a picnic! Not only are there several benches in the area, but there is also a tree that has been hollowed out. It’s the perfect size for a family to sit down and enjoy a sandwich before the movie.
  • The Crystal Shrine Grotto
  • This is just one of the scenes inside the Groto
The real treat here is, of course, the movies that are played outside the Grotto. On Saturday, September 19, Memorial Park will be showing the 1943 Academy Award winner, Casablanca. The event starts promptly at 8 p.m. and is free to the public. There will also be free popcorn to anyone who forgets to bring some along with a food truck. Be sure to get there early to save a seat! For a full list of all the movies playing at the Grotto, or just to learn more about Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, click here.   Cooper-Young Festival No weekend guide for this upcoming weekend would be complete without the Cooper- Young Festival. It’s one of the most anticipated events of the fall season and each year brings in thousand of guests to the area. With 435 artists set to be on hand, hundreds of vendors,  a 4 mile road race scheduled for Friday night, and dozens of bands rocking out on three main stages, it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss. Admission is free, and there is even a shuttle to and from the festival for those who don’t want to mess with the hassle of finding a parking spot. Vendors will be out bright and early at 9 a.m. and will stay out there until 7 p.m. Cooper Young Festival Facebook Page   Party with the Pandas Red pandas that is. On Saturday, at 2:30 p.m., the Memphis Zoo will be hosting a Red Panda Naming Party where they will be revealing the newest addition’s name. The little guy was born on June 3, but the Zoo decided to include the community in deciding a name for the baby. More than 780 people submitted submission through the Memphis Zoo’s Facebook page with the Zookeepers narrowing them down to the top five. The top five names were Desi, Riley, Scout, Sullivan, and Tenzing.
The big reveal will take place right in front of the red panda exhibit in Cat Country, and may include a special appearance by the guest of honor himself.  WREG was told zookeepers hope he will be here. However, since the cub is currently being mother-reared, they will not know if that is a possibility until that morning. Proud father, Justin, will be in attendance. Also, when you enter the zoo on Saturday, be sure to give the admission gate attendant the password “red panda” for a surprise giveaway! For more information about the Memphis Zoo, click here. Memphis Zoo Facebook Page   Of course, for more great ideas on what do to this weekend be sure to check out the I Love Memphis Blog.