MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of people filled the downtown area for 901 Day, a time to celebrate Memphis and what makes the city so unique.

“Memphis, Memphis, Memphis, Memphis. The most beautiful place in the world,” Ladia Yates said.

No matter which part of Memphis you’re from, people are showing pride in being from the Bluff City.

“Nawf Memphis with the ‘W’ with it,” a Memphian named Denise said. “You got to add the ‘WF’ in that junt.”

“I love Memphis so much,” Jericho Oliver said. “Giving back to kids, that’s what I do. If I see somebody homeless, I give them money and that’s what I love for my community.”

Thousands across the city are celebrating what it means to be a Memphian on September 1 locally known as “901 Day.”

“I like my city,” Denise said. “We represent. We stand behind each other. We stick to each other. We ride for each other.”

Hundreds of people gathered on Beale Street Sunday to celebrate Memphis’ culture, food and music.

Memphis-based musicians such as Al Kapone, Kia Shine and Big Boogie are all slated to perform.

“Ever since I’ve been knowing Boogie – 38127 Frayser Bay area- I got the energy just like him,” Oliver said.

WREG caught up with Ladia Yates, the owner of L.Y.E. Academy Dance Studio, before the festivities and she said she’s excited to highlight the good in the community.

“It’s (Memphis) rich in culture and it’s so many talented people out here,” Yates said. ” We just need to highlight that and that’s what we’re doing today.”

Whether one lives in Whitehaven, East Memphis, Raleigh or Orange Mound, organizers said that Sunday’s event is all about unity.

“We all want to celebrate our city every day,” said City of Memphis Chief of Communications Penelope Huston. “But this just gives (us) a reason to come together and do it together.”