Harrah’s offers free shuttle to BBQ contestants | News

Memphis in May BBQ teams and guests have had their hotel rooms booked Downtown for months and some even for years. When the BBQ contest was forced to relocate to Tiger Lane due to flooding they faced a parking, transportation and lodging dilemma as they were accustomed to walking to the contest site and if they cancelled hotel reservations they might lose their ongoing BBQ contest lodging reservations. Harrah’s Tunica will assist by providing free shuttle service for BBQ teams and guests from Downtown Memphis to Tiger Lane until Saturday, May 14.

“The Memphis in May shuttle service provided by Harrah’s Tunica will help to make the 2011 Memphis in May BBQ contest more accommodating to BBQ teams, guests, and visitors despite having to relocate the event on such short notice,” said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Our hero shuttle drivers were more than happy to provide this service for Memphis in May and many of our shuttles were certainly available due to our casino operations being closed by the floods. We believe in giving back to our community and this was a great opportunity for us to provide a much needed service to enhance the Memphis in May experience during such a trying time,” said Valerie Morris, vice president of communications and community affairs.

The shuttles are open to all teams and guests and will make five stops at existing MATA bus stops on Second St. then will deliver guests to Tiger Lane where they will pick up passengers to return downtown.

The shuttles will operate on the following schedule:

• Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Information provided by Harrah's.