Elvis Lives! In La Grange, Kentucky
Who knew that Elvis had such a presence in La Grange, KY? From a shop owner who grew up down the street from Elvis (pre-Graceland) to at least four local Elvis impersonators and a woman who dated one of Elvis’ guitarists, this town has a little Memphis in its soul.
2012
Friday Evening, January 6th from 7pm to Midnight: This year’s birthday bash begins with the private party at Soiree! Back by popular demand — Brian King’s flamboyant performance as the real “King” brings out the crowds as La Grange celebrates Elvis’ birthday. Wear your poodle skirts and saddle shoes, your leathers or your rolled-up jeans! Elvis is timeless, and his style crosses decades and generations. $25 per person purchases an entire evening with catered buffet, cash bar, music, dancing, huge door prizes and little teeny door prizes…plus, you can enjoy the Kentuckiana’s best dance floor with friends and neighbors at this private, ticket-only party-down event.
Limited to 200, so reserve your seats now! Tickets NOW on sale! Payment can be made by check to the address noted immediately below, or through our PayPal button located at left on this Web site. PayPal now allows payment by credit card, even if you do not have an account. Be sure to note that your check or PayPal payment is for the Elvis Lives! Private Party. No refunds after December 24, 2010.
Call 502-269-0126 for more information or if you do not want to use the PayPal option. It’s a hunka hunka burnin’ good time! Facebook Event.
Saturday, January 7th from 10am to 5pm: NOTE: THIS EVENT IS CANCELED: Sock Hop ‘Til You Drop Dance Marathon! This event, hosted by Discover Downtown La Grange and brought to you live by local award-winning DJ Jeff Wilson, offers a venue for dancers to win cash prizes! The marathon begins at 10am sharp, and dancers will go continuously until 5pm with bathroom and snack breaks. Practice up now, because your legs will need it! Held at the La Grange Community Center, 307 West Jefferson Street. Admission is $10 per person, to benefit Discover Downtown La Grange. Tickets NOW on sale, and you must pre-register to enter this dance contest. Call 502-269-0126 for more information!
Limited to 100 couples, so reserve your tickets now! Payment can be made by check to the address noted immediately below. Be sure to note that your payment is for the Sock Hop ‘Til You Drop Dance Marathon. No refunds after December 24, 2010. Facebook Event.
Cash Prizes: To date: CUB Bank, La Venture Station, La Grange Arts & Crafts, Panache Hair Salon, One-Nineteen West Main, Q&A Sweet Treats, Sherwood Acres for a total to date of $350. Goal is $500 to grand prize, $400 to second prize and $200 to third prize!
Please make checks payable to Discover Downtown La Grange and mail to: P.O. Box 228, La Grange, Kentucky 40031.
Alanna Nash
2011
Discover Downtown La Grange celebrated its first Elvis event on January 7th and 8th, 2011, with a multitude of events planned to knock everyone’s bobby socks off! We hosted Louisville’s Alanna Nash, a journalist and biographer and the author of several acclaimed books, notably on Elvis Presley. In 1977, Nash was one of the journalists to view Elvis’ remains after his death in August that year. For her acclaimed exposé on Colonel Parker, Alanna Nash was voted one of the “Heavy 100 of Country Music” by Esquire magazine and she also earned the 2004 Country Music Awards Media Achievement Award and the 2004 Belmont Book Award. Her autographed books remain available at Karen’s Book Barn and Java Stop, located at the south corner of Main and Walnut.
The biggest hit was the Elvis Lives! Private Party, held at Soiree — one of Kentuckiana’s finest dance floors, located right here in La Grange. Why re-invent the wheel when something works? This private party will continue in upcoming years. Brian King (shown above during a summer event in La Grange), one of our local Elvis impersonators, was a hit with both men and women (especially the women!). This event provides a great opportunity to break out those poodle skirts and saddle shoes!
The first year’s event also offered a shuttle bus by HDB Service Group, which was never used. This shuttle ran between the community center, the Oldham County Public Library, DeHaven Baptist Church and Karen’s Book Store, where Elvis events such as book signings, a birthday party, Gospel singing and Elvis movies were held. The weather, which offered snow and freezing temperatures, may have contributed to the lack of participation, but other factors may have contributed to the dearth of participants, including little time to advertise the event (which was approved in mid-November).
2012′s event is scaled back to experiment with options that could become popular over the years.
