I experienced this one of a lifetime extravaganza with Jane Stark, Lea Frydman, Dina Angus and 75,000 other Elvis fans from all over the world.
Forging on, with not enough hours in the day, here's just a few of the things we managed to fit into our fun-filled week of non-stop Elvis.
It just wouldn’t be Elvis Week without taking in the Graceland tour. Being from Canada, this was Jane's first visit to Memphis, so of course I used her as an excuse to make yet another visit to the mansion. This was my fourth time over the years, but I always enjoy going back. There's no denying Elvis is in that house. You can feel his presence in every room. My tour pictures from 1999 can be found at Graceland Mansion.
The Fountain at Meditation Gardens. Of all the experiences to be enjoyed during Elvis Week, this is always one of my favorites. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to walk through Meditation Gardens during your stay in Memphis, but none are as meaningful, as the one you take on your own during those quiet times of a morning.
Across from Graceland Mansion, the area known as Graceland Plaza was always alive with continual entertainment, all week long. It’s always a treat to shop in the little stores, then meet old and new friends at the tent for a little relaxation and fun. Here's Mario from England, whom I had the pleasure of following around for my article on the Images contest in 2000. Mario won 2nd place this year at Images. Congratulations Mario on a marvelous job. I knew you could do it.
The Fan Club Presidents' Event: Elvis Night at Libertyland was a treat for all involved. This year, trying something a little different, it was held in the park Elvis loved so much, that we've all heard so much about.
Elvis would frequently rent out the entire park for the night, and thats just what EPE Enterprises did for the big 25th anniversary.
Before the outdoor fun began, we had the pleasure of hearing stories by several Elvis friends, including Joe Esposito, Larry Geller, Jerry Schilling and Julie Parrish (Paradise Hawaiian Style). Joe told a great story on how the Zippin Pippin came down without Elvis one night giving everyone a scare. It seems, being the joker he was, Elvis had climbed off at the top of the ride. It was also great hearing Julie Parrish telling how she didn’t get the part in Paradise Hawaiian Style until she agreed to a tiny part in another movie. She didn’t care, she wanted to work with Elvis, that bad. Who wouldn’t Julie?
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