Elvis Week ends with candlelight vigil

MEMPHIS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Police say 8,500 people took part in a candlelight vigil to mark the end of Elvis Week in Memphis and to remember singer Elvis Presley.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal said Sunday that the vigil that marked the end of Elvis Week 2009 was expected to draw more than 10,000 additional people as Elvis fans nationwide and abroad gathered to honor the 32nd anniversary of the singer's death.

In addition to Saturday's vigil to mark Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Week attendees took part in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist event and Elvis 1969: A Celebration Concert.

Kevin Kern, Elvis Presley Enterprises director of public relations, said nearly 30,000 people participated in Elvis Week 2009 activities overall.

Kern told the Commercial Appeal that Saturday's vigil was the perfect way to end the festival and mark the increased tourism Memphis has enjoyed in recent months.

The ongoing economic downturn has resulted in regional residents choosing Graceland in Memphis as an affordable summer travel destination, the Commercial Appeal reported.