Celebrations kicked off on January 8 when Elvis Presley would have been 74 years old.

Gathering like they always do on this day, fans of The King swarmed Presley's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, which is of course a special spot for celebrations and the 2009 festivities are taking place all through the week and weekend.

A series of events are scheduled to take place at his Graceland estate, including live performances, a scavenger hunt, tours of the estate, and Elvis bingo.

Although he's passed away for 30 years, Presley is far from being forgotten. His ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, joined fans in singing "Happy Birthday" on Graceland's front lawn Thursday afternoon before she also informed everyone that two rescue horses, named Max and Bandit, have become new residents on the grounds of the famous white-columned house.

Born on January 8, 1935, Presley, who died at Graceland in 1977 at age 42, maintained stables and riding pastures for horses at his longtime Memphis residence.

Aside from the annual birthday ceremony at the historic house, fans all over the country are toasting the "Heartbreak Hotel" crooner's special day in unique ways too.

The Elvis Birthday Tribute, a concert celebrating the music of Elvis Presley era by era, will be coming the Paramount Theater January 9 and the Star Plaza Theater January 10. Performers include Shawn Klush, Ryan Pelton, Donny Edwards, D.J. Fontana and The Fabulous Ambassadors Band.

In fact, celebrations extended on other continents as well. Hundreds of Elvis Presley look-alikes gyrated their way onto the "Elvis Express" on Friday to take part in one of Australia's biggest tributes to The King: a week-long Countrylink Elvis Festival in Parkes, a town in the Australian outback.