It’s just so easy to walk into Tiger Lane and enjoy everything A Taste of Memphis has to offer: live music, non-profits, all types of vendors, food, important information, connections and so much more! But none of this would be possible without the people who make it possible: the volunteers!
Today we are highlighting the experience of one of those volunteers: Zoe Patrick, who currently is the Executive and Partnerships Coordinator for City Leadership. She first learned about A Taste of Memphis last year, when she was an Urban Fellow with the City of Memphis Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Office of Neighborhood Engagement, which is the team that produces the event.
“When I started, I didn’t even know about A Taste of Memphis,” Zoe recalls. “But once I learned what it was, I jumped in with both feet. I worked on social media, booth registrations, sponsorships, signage, and logistics. On the day of the event, I was just one more of the many volunteers from HCD who are handing out maps, directing traffic, and helping keep everything on track. It was a little bit of everything!”
Rather than stepping away after such an intense experience, Zoe returned this year on her own initiative. From her new position at City Leadership, she thought that it would be a natural partnership to connect A Taste of Memphis with Choose901 –one of City Leadership programs. From her current position she saw an opportunity to amplify the event even further.
“At Choose901, our mission is to spread the good news of Memphis. A Taste of Memphis is exactly that—a celebration of neighborhoods, nonprofits, vendors, and people who make the city special. A partnership just made sense. With our platform, we can help more Memphians discover and enjoy the event.”
For Zoe, the reason to come back was simple: the relationships.
“The most valuable part was connecting with neighborhood associations, vendors, and community leaders. Those connections turned into friendships and professional partnerships that are shaping my career. Coming back was a no-brainer.”
So, what does volunteering actually look like at A Taste of Memphis? According to Zoe, expect structure, purpose, and fun.
“This is not the type of volunteer gig where you sit around waiting. With an event this size, everyone has a role—parking, check-in, helping booths, assisting performers. You’re busy, but it’s rewarding. And you still get to enjoy the event—I was zipping around on golf carts, meeting vendors, listening to music, and even giving kids rides to get balloon animals!”
Her most vivid memory came at the end of last year’s event. After a long day playing many roles, Zoe finally sat down with a hot dog from a food truck and took in the last performance of the night.
“It hit me then—the thousands of people who had discovered something new, signed up with a nonprofit, or supported a local vendor. I realized how meaningful the day had been.”
The second came when she finally had a moment to check her phone and realized that her family and friends were in the crowd. They had come to support her!
“They had never even heard of A Taste of Memphis before, but they came to support me and ended up loving it. That moment of clarity—seeing people I love experiencing the event—reminded me why it’s all worth it.”
For Zoe, volunteering at A Taste of Memphis is more than just lending a hand—it’s being part of something bigger than yourself.
“You’ll leave knowing you played a role in one of Memphis’s most uplifting celebrations. Once you volunteer, you’ll want to come back year after year.”
Come and volunteer with us! Write to Sherman.Robinson@memphistn.gov
This blog was written by Alejandro Paredes
Alejandro Paredes is the PR & Media Coordinator at the Housing and Community Development Division of the City of Memphis.
