April 12, 2025, Dateline Bartlett, TN: Life is full of mysteries, and one of the easier mysteries to solve is why the hamfest called the Memphis Freefest isn't in Memphis, it's in Bartlett, TN. The "Freefest" part isn't a mystery at all, because there's no entry fee, no table fees, nothing at all is paid to take part in this great hamfest. They do sell door prize tickets (they have great door prizes), and all the profits go to LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. The folks are nice, nice, nice. There's the comfy, well-lighted inside setup, as well as the spacious parking lot setup area.
Why is it called the "Memphis" Freefest, though, when it is actually in Bartlett? I haven't investigated that yet. Maybe it started in Memphis and moved to Bartlett later? Maybe it's because Memphis got too expensive or developed a perception of being too dangerous? I don't know, but for whatever reason, it's called Memphis, which it is not, instead of Bartlett, which it is. (If you like fun Facebook pages, follow the Bartlett Police Dept. Facebook page, even if you've never been to Bartlett. You can thank me later.)
Okay, we'll leave that mystery unsolved for the moment, and move on.
The Freefest is easily the most unique hamfest we attend each year. Wide aisles make it easy to see everything, free tables bring in lots of vendors and clubs, the concession stand food is better than average, and not over-priced, unloading and reloading is easy, handtrucks and/or carts are made available, and the host club always greets us and thanks us for coming. The space feels welcoming.
We get to see a lot of friends here, and we always meet some new folks. Unless some disaster prevents it, this is a hamfest we will always attend.
Dale's previous table mascot disappeared, so he recruited this little fellow to stand guard on his table.
A pretty much pristine Trans-Oceanic looking for a new home, and it found one.
KLG5PBJ (Peanut Butter and Jelly), one of our good friends, was right across the aisle from us.
Right before the gates open, KJ5HOC ponders the table setup.
One of our hamfest neighbors.
The Memphis ARC had a table set up, and they did a lot of visiting.
Lily the bulldog comes to the freefest every year, and she always stops by our table to say hi. We're always glad to see Lily!