MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - This is a huge week for Elvis fans. Not only is Sunday the King's birthday, but Graceland is opening three new exhibits this year, something employees don't usually do. The first exhibit, "Elvis on Tour," opened January 5, 2012. It highlights the 40th anniversary of his Golden Globe award for the "Elvis on Tour" documentary.
"We've always wanted to come here and we were on our way to Arizona so we figured we were going to stop on our way here," said Ken Hebel from Michigan.
The first time visitor picked a perfect time to come to Graceland. Thousands of people are expected to come this week and there will be even more people this weekend when the King of Rock and Roll would have turned 77 years old.
"We're just really here to avoid the crowd, I'm not a crowd person," Brenda Hebel laughed as she talked with abc24.com. "But I love looking at all the outfits, you know he was so young when he died, that's the sad part."
2012 also marks the 35th anniversary of Presley's death.
"Anything ending with a '5' or a '0' is big in the Elvis fan community, so they come here in great number," said Kevin Kern, spokesperson for Graceland.
That's why Adele Teteris said it's important to keep his memory alive in her family.
"My kids were born after he was dead but they still know all of his stuff and now I'm going to tell my grandkids," said Teteris.
The Texas native made sure her teenaged son knew who Elvis was.
"I grew up watching his movies and everything," said 16-year-old McCaley Teteris. "I like him."
All week, Graceland will celebrate Elvis' birthday with special events, touring shows, and more. Fans keep coming back, like Adele. This is her third time visiting Graceland and plans to come many more.
"I fell in love with him when I was a little girl," said Adele Teteris.
For more information on the "Elvis On Tour" exhibit and other birthday festivities at Graceland, visit
www.elvis.com.
