USA: Fans still flocking to Graceland following all night Elvis vigil

The overnight candlelight vigil marking the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death ends, but fans still pour into Graceland to visit the home and grave of the legendary singer. The 30th anniversary candle light vigil marking the death of Elvis Presley came to an end on Thursday (August 16) morning, as the last of the Elvis Country Fan Club carried lit torches and walked to a private ceremony, closed to the public. Tens of thousands of fans from around the world gathered outside the legendary singer's Memphis home on Wednesday (August 15) to mark Elvis' death in an event meant to honor the singer's legacy. Presley, widely credited with revolutionizing popular music and re-defining the power of international celebrity, died on August 16, 1977. The candlelight vigil began amid an intense heat wave, with temperatures in Memphis rising past 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) by mid-afternoon. The heat persisted on Thursday (August 6) morning, but that isn't stopping fans from visiting Graceland and Elvis' grave site. Israeli singer and composer Kobi Oshrat planned his first trip to Graceland for the anniversary with nine of his friends long ago. Oshrat says Elvis was a one of a kind, and bets that he'd still win the biggest popularity contest in America. "This man had an unbelievable amount of charisma. He is 100 percent charisma from his head to his toes. After talking to people here - if Elvis ran for resident he would win hands down. Every other candidate would have to go home." Still many of the people visiting Graceland on the 30th anniversary are not first timers. Betty Barfield drove 12 hours from Florida and has made the trip with her five sisters at least six times. Barfield says she doesn't mind standing in the heat because she has a special place in heart for Elvis. "I saw him three times in person and we raised our children on Elvis. So we still have all that at home you know." Fan clubs from around the world sent handcrafted tributes and bouquets for the Meditation Garden at Graceland, where the singer's grave lies. The outpouring included mounds of flowers, photographs and stuffed animals.

ITN Source | August 23, 2007

Tags:. .private. .carried. .raised. .popularity. .outside