Summer of ’56:
Elvis on the Coast
At the very beginning of his career, Elvis Presley spent one unforgettable summer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1956, before he became the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis was here—fishing, riding horses, relaxing along the coast, and performing in local venues while his career was beginning to take off. That summer is part of this place—and now you can experience it.
Exhibit Dates: June 4 – August 27, 2026
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
- Location: Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center, 1600 Government Street, Ocean Springs, MS
- Admission: Free and open to the public
Event Schedule
May 14, 2026 – 5:30 PM – Walk in Elvis’ Footsteps (Kickoff Event), a guided tour with music and stories in Biloxi.
June 4, 2026 – 5:30 PM – Opening Night + Documentary Screening featuring Martha Ebberman (Ann Raye).
June 25, 2026 – 6:00 PM – Evening of Rockabilly Music History with Joey Kent, Jeff Cole, and Dale Rushing.
July 30, 2026 – 6:00 PM – Trey Miller + Pat West Book Signing featuring Trey Miller and Pat West. Pat, Elvis’s former personal secretary and wife of Red West, shares firsthand stories from inside his inner circle, followed by a book signing.
If you or your family have memories, photos, or stories from Elvis’s time on the Coast, we want to hear them. Email heritage@dmr.ms.gov.
Official Summer of ’56 Restaurant Partners
Visitors can also take part in the Official Summer of ’56 Eateries program happening across the six coastal Mississippi counties. Participating restaurants, cafes, and bars are offering Elvis inspired menu specials throughout the summer, from peanut butter and banana creations to Southern comfort food favorites inspired by Elvis’s time on the Coast. The program encourages visitors to explore local communities, support coastal businesses, and experience the flavors and stories tied to Elvis’s legendary summer in Mississippi.
We are still accepting registration for businesses through May. Register here if interested in hosting an Elvis special at your restaurant https://form.typeform.com/to/ZUrVY7ON
Elvis & June - Summer of '56
At the beginning of Elvis Presley’s stardom, June Juanico of Biloxi, Mississippi was the lucky girl who caught Elvis’s eye at one of his first performances on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1956.
Their time together was filled with love, romance, heartbreak, and a lot of youthful, innocent, fun-filled adventures!
Scroll through the Story Map below for your guide to the places Elvis spent time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the summer of 1956 and to learn a part of his story you might not have known before.
The Summer 2025 issue of the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area’s EMBRACE magazine highlighted all things Coastal and Elvis!
