Elvis Presley would have been 75 on Jan. 8, 2011, and the Carson Valley Inn marks this milestone with the Elvis Week celebration, Jan. 3-8. Highlights include Elvis impersonators in the casino and Cabaret Lounge, teddy bear and Elvis memorabilia giveaways Jan. 3, cake and champagne Jan. 8 and some of Elvis' favorite food served as specials in Katie's all week.
Elvis impersonators Rob Ely and Brian Andrews will be strolling through the casino during the day and entertaining evenings Jan. 5-8 in the Cabaret Lounge.
Ely has placed in Elvis tribute artist contests in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Arizona and California. He appeared on Fox 40 TV News and was in the CBS "Good Day Sacramento" Elvis 75th birthday edition.
Ely appears Wednesday through Friday, while Andrews appears Friday and Saturday of Elvis Week in the Cabaret Lounge.
"Brian Andrews is the closest thing to Elvis that I've ever seen or heard," according to D.J. Fontana, Elvis' drummer from 1954-68.
The celebration includes the teddy bear casino promotion for INN Club members earning 125 points or more on Jan. 3. Surprise gifts could include cash, free play or Elvis posters, shirts, movies, key chains.
Elvis birthday cakes will be served with champagne, noon to 2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8, in the casino.
Some of Elvis' food favorites such as biscuits in white sausage gravy, fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches on white bread with bacon, cornmeal-battered fried catfish with cole slaw and tomatoes, banana pudding with vanilla wafer cookies are featured as specials in Katie's restaurant, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. during Elvis Week.
The Carson Valley Inn is located on Highway 395 in Minden. Information, www.carsonvalleyinn.com