Chilean Miner Peña Will Commune With Elvis, Gratis

Edison Peña (left), the recently freed Chilean miner who became known around the world as a major Elvis fan, will be visiting Graceland in Memphis during Elvis Presley's annual birthday celebration on January 6-9, 2011.

When the staff at Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. first learned of his love for Elvis, a care package filled with Elvis music and other Elvis merchandise was delivered to the mine. Through media reports, it was later learned that Peña jogged to music from the King of Rock 'n' Roll and helped keep morale high by leading Elvis sing-a-longs as he and 32 fellow miners were trapped 22,000 feet below ground.

After the rescue on October 13, Graceland and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau offered an all expenses paid trip to Pena and a guest with airfare provided by Memphis' hometown airline Delta Air Lines. It was announced this week that Peña plans to visit Memphis and Graceland during the annual four-day Elvis Presley birthday celebration in January 2011.

While at Graceland, Peña will receive a private tour of the mansion and exhibits and see other Memphis attractions such as the historic Sun Studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all started their music careers. Memphis plans to pull out all the stops to show Peña true Southern hospitality with 5-star accommodations provided by The Peabody Hotel and the opportunity to try some Memphis barbeque.

Following his visit to Graceland, Peña will be flown to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil 's new Viva ELVIS show at ARIA Resort & Casino.
(Photo courtesy of Associated Press)

Source: Elvis.com