Memphis FreakNik organizer promises party is still on
by: Brian Didlake
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The organizer of a major outdoor party that had been planned for a Memphis park says the event will move to a new location after a hangup with city permits.
The new spot for Memphis FreakNik 2025 has not yet been made public, but organizer Foolish Will said Monday that the new location will be announced soon.
“They ARE NOT shutting it down lol!!!!!,” he wrote, adding, “Making Memphis Fun Again.”
Will said the new location will not need a permit, because it will be on private property.
“I was surprised. I thought FreakNik was over and dead,” Memphian Alexandra Baker said. “So, I was surprised they are reviving it.”
The event organizer said the event was granted a permit by the city to use Martin Luther King Riverside Park for the April 19 event, but the permit was canceled.
A city spokesperson confirmed that the permit fees had been refunded to the organizers.
Foolish Will promised armed security and cooperation from law enforcement to make sure it stays safe.
“We have hired several private armed security teams and law enforcement to work with us on this event,” Foolish Will said. “We have notified the Memphis Police Department and the Sheriff office of our new location already.”
He said FreakNik would feature food trucks, water slides, a foam machine, a stage and much more.
“We’ll see how it goes without violence,” resident Jamarrius Butler said. “I hope there won’t be no violence or anything going on. Everybody just have a great time.”
While Memphians who spoke with WREG had mixed reactions, the controversy of the party came from its inspiration.
Atlanta’s FreakNik started in the early 1980s and lasted all the way until 1999.
The party, hosted by Spelman and Morehouse college students, started off as a picnic but got out of hand after hundreds of thousands of people swarmed the city, causing safety and traffic concerns.
“It was something to do that was fun,” Stan Bell said. “It was something to do for people who wanted a change.”
Bell, a well-known radio DJ said he has high hopes for the upcoming event.
“I don’t think we will quote overdo it in terms of that (events in Atlanta) and my hope and my wish is if it does happen, is if it does come into fruition – Memphis FreakNik -everybody would be in proper decorum, enjoy themselves, be responsible no matter what your age is,” he said.
Just weeks before the event takes place, Bell offered the organizers some words of wisdom.
“Make it a wholesome event, have fun, turn up but know when to turn it down,” Bell said. “And then remind them, hey look Memphis is all about coming together.”
The location of the new venue has not been publicly announced yet.
However, Memphis Police confirmed they are aware of the event and will be monitoring all city parks during that weekend.
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