OHC NEWSLETTER

“Elvis Returns”
By Elizabeth Pond

Elvis Presley will soon be back in Waycross. The Okefenokee Her-itage Center is commemorating the 70th anniversary of “The King’s” February 22, 1956, Waycross appearance with a special presentation. OHC is bringing Elvis Tribute Artist and Georgia native Jordan Poole to the CC McCray City Auditorium on Saturday, September 26, for an evening of old-time rock and roll. Poole, who hails from Sylvester, has won several awards for his portrayal of Presley, most recently being named the 2025 Tupelo Ultimate Elvis Champion in the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi.

OHC Executive Director Carla Garrett Cornett says the September fundraising performance fits beautifully with the OHC mission. “One of the goals of the Okefenokee Heritage Center is to keep our rich, cultural heritage alive,” Cornett says. “Our Willie R. Character Entertainment Venue houses posters of many famous performers who came to Waycross, specifically to the Waycross Auditorium. Knowing that Elvis performed here 70 years ago, and his music is loved by so many, we felt it fitting to bring “The King of Rock and Roll” back to the same stage Elvis performed on.”

Elvis’ stop in Waycross was part of a grueling tour during which he performed “Baby Let’s Play House,” “Tutti Frutti,” “Heartbreak Hotel” (which was mistakenly cited as being “Heartburn Hotel” by a local newspaper reporter), and “Blue Suede Shoes.” On the same ticket with Presley were per-formers Justin Tubb, The Louvin Brothers, The Alabama Sanddusters, Mother Maybelle, The Carter Sisters, June Carter, and Benny Martin. Presley had only recently made his television debut on CBS’s Stage Show, hosted by the Dorsey Brothers, on January, 28 and was not yet the enter-tainment icon he would evolve into. Following the concert, Presley and his entourage went to the Plant Café in downtown Waycross. According to the current owner of the café, Marla Howell, Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker had orchestrated a contest following each of his concert dates for a local young lady to dine with Presley. “ After his two shows at our City Auditorium,” said Howell, “a young lady’s name was pulled and Plant Café, being open 24 hours those days, was the meeting location for them to arrange their dinner the next day at The Green Frog restaurant.” …

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