Every time Elvis Week rolls around, I hear an Elvis story that I’ve never heard before. My dad told me about the time he saw Elvis at a gas station in the 1950s. Elvis shared that he’d just recorded “Blue Moon of Kentucky’’ at Sun Studio and he was going to be famous. And so it happened.
“My grandmother was friends with Gladys,” said Connie Pike, a family friend offering me a new story. “Elvis would invite my friends and me to parties at Graceland. My friends went, but I never did. I’d been around him enough at his mom’s house. I sure didn’t want to see him at his house, but I sure wish I’d gone to some of those parties now.”
Avoid regrets and be a part of Elvis’ story by celebrating his life and legacy on this 44th anniversary of his death. This year, Priscilla Presley will make special appearances at select events. Join other fans on Sunday as Elvis music sets the tone for the evening during a walk to the Meditation Garden for the Candlelight Vigil. The ceremony will also be available to watch online again this year along with a Virtual Elvis Week option featuring concerts and events livestreamed.
Nightly parties include Club Elvis: Hawaiian Style, a Blue Hawaii luau celebrating the 50th anniversary of the movie.
For all scheduled events, visit graceland.com.
Elvis Week 2021, Graceland, 3717 Elvis Presley, Aug.11-17, free-$78+.