 |
|
 |
| |
|
Graceland to Sparkle This Holiday Season with Elvis’ Traditional Decorations and Expanded Spectacular Jennings Osborne Extravaganza |
|
|
|
|
|
Graceland to Sparkle This Holiday Season with Elvis’ Traditional Decorations and Expanded Spectacular Jennings Osborne Extravaganza
|
|
| Graceland will officially begin the holiday season on Friday, November 24 with the annual lighting of the traditional lights and decorations on the mansion property and special evening tours of the mansion and property. The extensive spectacle includes hundreds of bluelights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh and much more originally displayed by Elvis. For the second year, Arkansas philanthropist Jennings Osborne and his family have constructed expanded spectacular displays of over two million lights in the backyard of Graceland mansion and in Graceland Plaza. New this year, a view of the spectacle can be enjoyed anywhere in the world via the LIVE "GracelandCam". (When it is in place, a link will be installed in several places here on our site.)
Every Friday and Saturday between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. through December 30, the public can enjoy special evening walk-through tours of Graceland (inside and out) in all its usual Christmas splendor and see the expanded Osborne lighting display in the backyard. Prices are $7.00 ages 13 and up, 12 and under free. A portion of each ticket sold will go to MIFA for Presley Place, the transitional housing development funded by the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. Group rates are also available. No admission fee to enjoy the lighting in Graceland Plaza and the plaza view of the mansion grounds. The only charge is for access to the mansion property. Parking is free after 5:00 p.m.
Regular daytime tours of the mansion and other Graceland attractions continue as usual. Those who take the regular daytime mansion tour receive $2.00 off the special holiday nighttime tour admission.
See additional information below about Elvis’ Christmas traditions and about Jennings Osborne. Other information about Christmas at Graceland 2000 is found on the Christmas page of our site. That page will be updated and expanded with special features in the days ahead.
Elvis’ Christmas Traditions
Christmas with Elvis at Graceland was always something special. For many years the tradition was to put all the decorations in place in early December, just after Thanksgiving, and keep them up at least through Elvis' birthday in January. Christmas trees would be placed in several rooms along with other decorations. Outside on the front lawn Elvis first had a large Santa, sleigh and reindeer with the message "Merry Christmas to All, Elvis" suspended above it. In the mid-sixties, Elvis switched to a life-size Nativity scene, along with lighted aluminum trees along the front of the house, and the winding driveway outlined in hundreds of blue lights, a set-up he used each year for the rest of his life. Also in the 1960's, Elvis started switching out the blue draperies in the front rooms of the house to a holiday shade of red.
Today, the Graceland staff authentically continues Elvis' Christmas decorating traditions each year - including both versions of his front lawn displays. Under one of the trees in the house is a display of original toys and other items from the childhood years of his daughter, Lisa Marie. The lights go on the day after Thanksgiving and all the decorations, inside and out, stay in place through the Elvis Birthday Celebration in January.
The addition of the Osborne lighting displays in the mansion backyard and in Graceland Plaza do not alter Elvis' traditional holiday decor in any way.
Background on Jennings Osborne
Elvis Presley's own traditional Christmas decor will be in place as always inside and on the front grounds of Graceland Mansion this holiday season. No changes whatsoever. But, for the second year famed Arkansas philanthropist Jennings Osborne and his family will bring 2 million lights to make things merrier and brighter year in the mansion’s back yard and in Graceland Plaza across the street. It is the Osbornes' gift to Graceland, to the Elvis fans and to Memphis-area residents.
Arkansas philanthropist Jennings Osborne and his family became nationally famous with the extravagant holiday lighting they created for their home in Little Rock. Thousands of people flocked to their neighborhood each year to enjoy a display whose glow could be seen by air from as far as eighty miles away. A state supreme court order ended the annual extravaganza as the Osbornes' residential community could not handle the traffic. Soon after, Disney World invited the Osbornes to bring their ever-growing display to the MGM Studio theme park in Orlando, Florida, which they now do annually. The Osbornes now also provide lights for over 32 cities and sites in Arkansas. Their lighting displays are a gift to the communities that enjoy them, and now the Osbornes bring that gift to Graceland Mansion so that Memphis-area residents and Elvis fans from around the world can enjoy the magic. Jennings Osborne is an Elvis fan who says "I always loved Elvis' style. He loved to share his success with others and received so much joy from doing it. I have to admit that the example Elvis set years ago still influences me to this day."
For more information about the Osbornes visit the Osborne Family web site.
Current News | Archive | RCA Elvis News
News | Elvisology | Graceland Mansion
Elvis Presley's Memphis Restaurant
Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel
Elvis: The Concert | Shop Elvis | Presley Place | Home
Site Map
Contact EPE
EPE Corporate Information
Licensing Information
ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
P.O. Box 16508
3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38186-0508
(901) 332-3322
(800) 238-2000
TDD/TYY: (901) 344-3146
Copyright © 2000 Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Design by Aristotle®
|
|
|
|
Source:
MusicNewswire
|
[
Back
] |
|
[
Top
] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
