During His Childhood Years, Elvis Lived In Tupelo

It was at this concert that the governor of Mississippi greeted him.  Elvis performed for over 5000 people. He was also feted with a parade. In the crowd, his manager feared for his safety. But he was able to enjoy the event.

One of the most famous photographs taken at the homecoming concert was of Elvis reaching out and touching the hands of his fans. The image was used as inspiration for the statue. It's located near the site where the concert was held.

Bill Beckwith, a sculptor from Tupelo, designed the statue. He was a sculptor in the '70s and has been teaching part-time in sculpture since then. He also worked as a foundry foreman for Charles Grose in sculpting.

It's a four-foot-tall bronze statue that pays homage to Elvis' Tupelo years. It's modeled after a photo that Roger Marshutz took during the 1956 homecoming concert. It's also a tribute to Elvis' music.

The Tupelo Elvis Festival takes place in the first week of June. Several Elvis fans visit the festival every year. There is a souvenir store in the area that sells a variety of Elvis memorabilia. The festival is open Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 9 am-5 pm. It's also a popular attraction for classic car enthusiasts.