While Graceland will always be considered home for Elvis, Las Vegas, his home away from home, will house nearly 28,000 square feet of rotating memorabilia starting April 23. Officials with Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. and the Westgate Las Vegas announced “Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition—The Show—The Experience,” which will begin 59 years to the day after his first Las Vegas appearance.
The same showroom Elvis sold out hundreds of shows is still in tact in the casino, first known as The International, and later the Las Vegas Hilton looks much like it did in Elvis’ day. The exhibit will cost $22 to enter, and tickets for performances start at $49.
CEO of Westgate Resorts, David Siegel, said it was destiny he bought the property in July 2014, decades after attending shows put on by Elvis, with his ex-wife whose godfather was also Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Several pieces of Vegas-esque memorabilia will also be on hand, including the tablecloth in which Elvis’ $1 million a year contract to perform at the International was signed.
Director of the casino-hotel’s room service and specialty restaurants, Dominic A. Parisi remembers readying Elvis’ rooms from 1972 to 1976 while he performed there. His common request was an early evening breakfast of well-done eggs, well-done toast, well-done bacon and large amounts of bottled water.
