Rain from Helene cancels events across Memphis area

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday’s heavy rain was forcing event cancellations across the city.

The National Weather Service said Friday’s rainfall broke a daily record that had stood for nearly 120 years.

Pam Dickey, chairman of the Pink Palace Crafts Fair, said that despite the day’s forecast, organizers thought the event could weather the storm.

After opening for less than an hour, the crew swiftly reversed course as the downpours intensified.

“There was so much rain that it was an agreement with the artist and organizers of the fair that for today we just need to shut it down,” Dickey said. “In that little bit of time we had volunteers come in to help us, we had customers come, we had die-hard shoppers geared up in their rain gear. I think some of them would’ve stayed all day.“

Other canceled events include:

• Overton Park Shell Concert
• Air show at Fayette County
• Ole Miss Homecoming Parade
• The Mid-South Fair midway
• Miranda Lambert concert
• 7th annual Jackson memorial golf tournament

Organizers of the Museum of Science and History Crafts Fair hope to reopen for the rest of the weekend.

“If it’s just a tiny bit of rain we’re good to go. It’s just this downpour that’s soils and the park is getting big mud puddles too,” Dickey said.

The fair’s organizer says if you paid for tickets today you will not have to pay again tomorrow.

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