Official History of Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest

The story of Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest begins in the months following Elvis Presley’s passing in August 1977.

In 1978, the Taking Care of Presley (TCP) Memorial Benefit Committee, Inc. was founded by Kay and Paul Lipps, along with Herbert and Judy Wright, and supported by Shirley Lyday, Linda Welch, and others. Together, they were united by a shared goal: to honor Elvis Presley’s memory by giving back to the community, inspired by Elvis’ own charitable and humanitarian spirit.

Indianapolis held special significance. Elvis’ final concert took place at Market Square Arena on June 26, 1977, and the TCP committee believed the city had both a responsibility and an opportunity to commemorate that moment in a lasting and meaningful way.

In its early years, the committee brought fans together through fan club meetings, gatherings, and benefit-driven activities—building the relationships and momentum that would later inspire what became Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest.

Less than one year after Elvis’ death, that vision became a major public event. From June 24–26, 1978, TCP presented a multi-day Elvis Festival in Indianapolis featuring an Elvis movie double feature, a 50s dance, a free public festival at Military Park, a tribute concert at the Murat Theatre, and a memorial remembrance with plaque dedication at Market Square Arena. Special guests included Dick Grob and Charlie Hodge.

This event stands as one of the earliest documented, organized multi-day Elvis festivals in the United States, combining tribute, community, and charitable fundraising at a time when few such events existed.

That same year, the group donated a commemorative plaque to Market Square Arena. The plaque was displayed in a wall case in the arena’s ticketing area and remained there until the arena was imploded. Today, it is preserved alongside other Market Square Arena memorabilia at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

That first large-scale weekend—and the efforts surrounding it—established the foundation that would continue for decades: music, remembrance, fan community, and charity working together in Elvis’ name.

The effort did not stop with that first major event.

In 1979, the TCP Memorial Benefit Committee continued building on that momentum with another multi-day Elvis memorial weekend in Indianapolis that included an Elvis convention, a benefit concert at the Murat Theatre, a public memorial ceremony at Market Square Arena, and additional community events centered on music, films, and fundraising.

That same year, with support from city and state leadership, a portion of Market Street near the arena was officially designated “Elvis Presley Way.” Proclamations were issued by Governor Otis Bowen and Mayor William Hudnut, recognizing the significance of Elvis’ connection to Indianapolis.

Proceeds from these early events were directed to charitable organizations, including Riley Children’s Hospital, establishing a giving tradition that remains central to the mission today.

From the late 1970s into the early 1990s, the work continued through fan gatherings, memorial events, charitable efforts, and Elvis-centered programming that kept the mission alive. Even as the structure behind the scenes evolved over time, the purpose remained the same: honoring Elvis, bringing fans together, and giving back to the community.

From the beginning, these efforts drew attention well beyond a single event weekend.

Newspapers across Indiana and beyond documented the growing movement, including organized fan participation from multiple states, the charitable mission behind the events, and the expanding community of Elvis fans coming together through TCP activities.

The events also featured individuals closely connected to Elvis’ career, including members of his touring group and inner circle. Their involvement added authenticity and reinforced the purpose of honoring Elvis’ life, music, and legacy in a meaningful way.

By 1980, the TCP organization was looking beyond local events and toward a broader effort to unite Elvis fans.

That year, TCP hosted an Elvis Fan Seminar in Indianapolis, bringing together fan club leaders and participants from across the country. The goal was ambitious: to strengthen communication between fan clubs, improve public understanding of Elvis’ legacy, and coordinate charitable and educational efforts in his name.

Correspondence and planning materials from this period show a serious commitment to that mission, including communication with Colonel Tom Parker, outreach connected to Vernon Presley, and even correspondence that drew a response from the White House. Just as important, the documents reflect an early desire to do things the right way, with respect for Elvis, his family, and the legacy they were trying to protect.

Although the original nonprofit corporation would later dissolve, the mission itself did not end. The Taking Care of Presley Memorial Benefit Committee remained an active registered fan club with Elvis Presley Enterprises, and its work of honoring Elvis through fan connection, remembrance, and charitable giving continued through ongoing events, partnerships, and community efforts. In that way, the legacy was not restarted later. It was carried forward. 

In 1993, that legacy continued through the launch of Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest in Portage, Indiana.

The foundation built by TCP from 1978 through the early 1990s had already established a strong record of Elvis-centered events, fan gatherings, and charitable work. Because of that history, tourism leaders in Northwest Indiana reached out about creating an Elvis festival that could help bring visitors to the area. That opportunity is how an organization with roots in Indianapolis found its way to Northern Indiana.

What began as a memorial effort in central Indiana evolved into a lasting annual festival in Portage, while continuing the same mission: honoring Elvis, bringing fans together, and giving back.

Just as importantly, the effort to operate in a way that respected Elvis’ legacy and remained in good standing with those entrusted to protect it also continued. From the early years forward, the goal was to honor Elvis properly, seek the right approvals, and do things the right way. That commitment continues today through IEFF’s status as an officially licensed Elvis Presley Enterprises event and as a host of an official preliminary round in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest™.

Since 1993, Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest has carried that mission forward through music, special guests, fan fellowship, and fundraising. Over the years, the event has donated more than $500,000 to support Special Olympics athletes and programs.

Over time, the festival has welcomed special guests with direct ties to Elvis Presley’s world, including members of his inner circle and touring family: Joe Esposito, Sam Thompson, Dick Grob,  Jerry Schilling, Al Dvorin, D.J. Fontana, Charlie Hodge, and The Sweet Inspirations. The festival has also hosted members of Elvis’ medical care team, including nurses Letetia “Tish” Henley Kirk and Marian J. Cocke.

With contributions from fans, the TCP Memorial Benefit Committee commissioned a commemorative marker containing a time capsule filled with notes and remembrances submitted by Elvis fans. The marker honors Presley’s final Market Square Arena concert on June 26, 1977, while also reflecting the TCP Memorial Benefit Committee’s role in preserving Elvis’ legacy at that historic site. It was originally placed along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in 2002 on the concert’s 25th anniversary.

The marker was later moved for safekeeping during construction of 360 Market Square, a 28-story Flaherty & Collins development with apartments and businesses. Flaherty & Collins Properties and Kay Lipps of Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest joined for the marker’s rededication at 360 Market Square on June 26, 2018, the 41st anniversary of Elvis’ performance at the former Market Square Arena.

“It was important to honor and acknowledge the history of the site,” said Jim Crossin of Flaherty & Collins.

The marker includes a Paul Lipps photograph of Presley wearing his “Aztec sundial” jumpsuit from that final 1977 Market Square Arena concert. It is currently located at 320 E Market St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The time capsule is scheduled to be opened on June 26, 2102, and includes fan letters, a cassette recording of the final concert, a Graceland catalog, and a book of Elvis tour photographs by well-known Elvis photographer Keith Alverson.

In 2025, Kay and Paul Lipps’ son took a meaningful step to formally establish the TCP Memorial Benefit FAN Club as a registered DBA, ensuring the name, legacy, and purpose are clearly represented moving forward alongside Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest.

This was not a restart, but a way to recognize, organize, and carry forward a legacy that has remained active since 1978.

Going forward, the TCP Memorial Benefit FAN Club will serve as the driving force behind Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest—honoring its history, supporting its mission, and connecting past, present, and future fans.

As Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest approaches its 34th year, the TCP Memorial Benefit FAN Club enters a new chapter, welcoming a new generation of members while continuing a tradition rooted in Elvis, charity, and community.

Today, under second-generation leadership, the work continues with the same purpose that inspired it in 1978.

What began as a memorial effort after Elvis’ final Indianapolis concert has grown into a long-running tradition built on love for Elvis, service to the community, and a commitment to keeping his legacy alive in a positive way.

Nearly five decades after those first efforts began, the mission remains clear:

Celebrate Elvis. Support the community. Continue the legacy.