Ever since Back to the Future was released in 1985, people have been saying I look like the wild-haired Dr. Emmett Brown played by Christopher Lloyd.
That’s almost a 40-year span. I used to hate when people said that, but now that I’m older than Lloyd was when he made the movie, it’s sort of a compliment. According to Google, Lloyd was 46 when he made Back to the Future.
So, the first attraction I see at Zoo Rendezvous, which was held June 4th at the Memphis Zoo, was a DeLorean time machine with a Dr. Emmett Brown impersonator played by Jonathan Whistler. With Whistler’s wild hair (his was a wig), I believe we both said at the same time we had to have our photo taken together. Jinx.
The 1980s was the theme of this year’s Zoo Rendezvous, so the movie and the automobile fit perfectly.
The car belongs to David Peel, owner of Memphis Time Machines. It’s exactly the same model as the one used in the movie, Peel says. “DeLorean only made one model,” he says. “It was called the DMC-12. It stood for DeLorean Motor Company.”
His DeLorean was made in 1981, Peel says. “They made them in ’81, ’82, and I think they had a model they called ‘’83,’ but by ’83 they were no longer being made.”
Six thousand DeLoreans were imported to the country from Ireland, Peel says. “Nobody knows exactly how many are on the road today, but it’s believed it’s less than 2,000.”
An accident lawyer, Peel decided he wanted to do something else besides practice law. Once his three kids were out of the house and he became a grandfather, he said, “What do I want to do on the side?”
He thought, “I’d love to have a couple of old cars and play with them.”
And, he thought, “It’d be great to have cars I really like that people would effectively pay me to own.”
Peel specifically wanted ’80s cars. “Like these that were on my wall growing up. The Alpine [sound system] poster with the [Lamborghini] Countach.
“The DeLorean was originally owned by a friend of mine in Arlington,” he says. “I bought it from him and added a lot of functionality and lights and various things to it.”
Peel then bought a replica of a Lamborghini Countach, which he found in Illinois. He described the car, the same type used in the movies Cannonball Run and Speed Zone, as “a very unique animal.”
He rents out the cars for parties, reunions, conventions, fundraisers, and trade shows. “Trade show booths are a big one. If you have a DeLorean blowing smoke, people are going to come over and take pictures.”
In addition to Whistler as Brown, Peel’s daughter Megan played Jennifer Parker (Claudia Wells) from the movie. Caleb Stoneking played the star — next to the DeLorean — Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox).
After the visit and photos with the DeLorean, I was ready to eat.
The first food station I stopped by was the one manned by Patrick’s Restaurant. I’ll have to say, that Cajun prime rib slider on a sweet sourdough bun is one of the most delicious sandwiches I’ve eaten. And this wasn’t just something offered at an event, says Patrick’s Restaurant owner Mike Miller. It’s “every day at Patrick’s,” he says.
I can’t wait to get another one. I ate four or five of the sliders at Zoo Rendezvous. I also had a few little bowls of their banana pudding.
The Hot Fudge Pie from Westy’s is one of my all-time favorite Zoo Rendezvous food items, but I almost didn’t get one. I stayed in the same area two hours taking photos and visiting with old friends. Finally, when I ventured deeper into the zoo to fine one of the Hot Fudge Pies, someone told me the Westy’s booth had shut down. But then an old friend, Alex Abdo, suddenly rounded the corner with one of the desserts for me. He said he snagged one of the last ones. I devoured it quickly as that oh-do-delicious ice cream mixed with brownie melted.
Before I left, I ran into another old friend, Memphis Wrestling promoter/wrestler Dustin Starr. They had just finished putting on live Memphis Wrestling “as part of a feature for Zoo Rendezvous,” Starr says, in an actual ring set up in front of the zoo’s Cat House Cafe. Memphis Heritage champion Mike Anthony was holding the Memphis Heritage championship belt, which they let me hold. It’s actually heavy.
“Memphis Wrestling is held every Saturday at noon on CW30 Memphis,” Starr says.
This was the first year Zoo Rendezvous, which features live music and numerous food and drink stations, was held in the spring. It’s usually held in September.
They originally were going to hold Zoo Rendezvous last September, says Memphis Zoo chief marketing officer Nick Harmeier. “When the new variant popped up in fall, we didn’t feel like it was very responsible for us to put on a mass event like that, so we pushed it off to spring,” he says. “I think our plan is to bring it back to fall in 2023.”
But Harmeier, as well as other people I talked to, liked this year’s event in spring. “It got darker later,” Harmeier says. “So, you could walk around and see everybody. I just felt like it enhanced the experience, walking around and seeing everyone during the daylight.”
And people really got into Zoo Rendezvous’s ’80s theme. “I don’t think we’ve ever had that much participation with people dressing up like the theme.”
Part of using a 1980s theme was “a hat tip to Rendezvous and Huey’s, who started the event back in the 1980s.”
I suggested maybe they could do two Zoo Rendezvous events — one in spring and one in fall.
And to rewrite a 1981 Hall & Oates song title, I’ll add, “I Can Go for That — Yes Can Do.”
