This weekend thousands will make the pilgrimage to Memphis to commemorate the 44th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing. This annual cultural phenomenon, known as “Elvis Week”, invites music lovers from around the world to gather for a multi-day celebration of the King’s life and legacy. Events at Graceland are taking place from August 11- 18 this year.

Just a little over 100 miles southeast of Graceland sits the shotgun two-room “Birthplace Home of Elvis Presley”, the centerpiece of the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park in Tupelo, MS. Presley was born in this modest home on January 8, 1935, to Gladys and Vernon Presley. Vernon and his father and brother built the house with $180 during the Great Depression. The Presley family was forced to move several times in those difficult days, but this humble beginning stands as a monument to the Rags-to-Riches story Elvis has embodied for generations. “You can take this birthplace and put it in my living room at Graceland,” Elvis once said.

The property now hosts a museum on its grounds, visited by thousands of international fans yearly, as well as housing the childhood church where Elvis first was exposed to gospel music.  While in Tupelo, Elvis attended the Assembly of God Church with his family where he would learn the music that influenced his musical style throughout his career.  Visitors to the site are allowed a view of those early formative experiences as part of the tour.

Other attractions include a bronze statue titled “Elvis at 13” and a set of two statues with one name, “Becoming”, depicting Presley’s rise to becoming The King of Rock and Roll.

If you’d like to celebrate Elvis from your home this weekend, we have a great recipe for the “Elvis Sandwich” from JustSommChef linked below. And tune in online to Virtual Elvis Week 2021 – Live from Graceland.