A License Plate Fit For A King

The Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club has been pushing for the specialty tag since last year. Originally, the club needed 300 applicants spending $31 each to ensure production. The club has already gathered 120 applications, needing only an additional 180 to have Presley’s smiling face gazing at the driver behind you.

Of course, you have to live in Mississippi.

What’s the deal?

It’s all about unfinished business. The specialty plate is to help raise money for a youth center to be built in Tupelo. Back in the ‘50s Presley did two fundraising concerts to raise funds for the Tupelo center, but the structure was never built, according to fan club president Scott Reese.

“That was his wishes” Reese said. “To take care of the east side of town where he grew up.”

Yeah, we know what you’re saying. Everybody knows The King was from Memphis, what with Graceland and all. However, Memphis became Presley’s adopted hometown when his family moved there in 1948.

Reese hopes the club can partner with the city and the Tupelo Aquatic Club, using proceeds from the specialty plate to build the center, complete with pool and dressing rooms.

The Tupelo fan club sprung up in 1956 but was inactive for years before Presley devotees rebooted it. Currently the club has about 150 members, including tourists passing through town.

It’s been a long road for the plate to get this far. First, the club had to convince state legislatures to approve the plate. Then they had to figure out what the tag would look like. That was taken care of by Tupelo’s Vic Armstrong. Then the design needed Elvis Presley Inc. to sign off on it. Done.

Now the plate must be approved by the Mississippi State Tax Commission before Elvis can leave the garage.