The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience is planning to honor Elvis Presley with a star on the Hollywood-style “Walk of Fame” in Meridian later this month. The announcement was made in Tupelo Friday, on what would have been the late singer’s 81st birthday.  

    “This presentation is a welcome addition to our annual celebration and certainly if you think about Mississippi in terms of music and entertainment you think about Elvis Presley almost immediately,” said Dick Guyton, Birthplace Event Center executive director. “We also appreciate the Mississippi Hills NHA for their partnering with the MAEE to bring this ceremony to the birthplace.”

    Marty Gamblin, MAEE executive director, said the new $45 million, 58,000 square foot facility will include more than 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, a state-sanctioned Hall of Fame, the Walk of Fame, broadcast studio, art studio, outdoor stage and courtyard.

    “Simply put, this project is dedicated to celebrating the essence of our legacy in the arts by recognizing and honoring Mississippi’s music, literature, drama, dance and the visual arts,” Gamblin said. “We will do this by incorporating the latest interactive and interpretive technology which will focus on six themes – the land, the home, the community, the church, the people and the global community.”

    The MAEE, located on Front Street in downtown Meridian, is expected to open during 2017 to help celebrate Mississippi’s bi-centennial. A public ceremony for the actual placement of a permanent Elvis star on the Walk of Fame is expected to be on Jan. 19 in Meridian.