We asked Diane Hampton, executive vice president of Memphis in May, for the inside scoop on the festivals.

1. No matter the event, wear comfortable shoes. Tom Lee Park is more than a mile long, and cute shoes won't be the order of the day.

2. Park and enter at the south end of the park. I-55 runs right there, which makes coming in and going home a lot easier.

3. Memphis in May offers free admission for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.