As Elvis fans around the world mark the 40th anniversary of his death, Tamaqua resident Joe Krushinsky is continuing a tradition this week of visiting Graceland every five years.

"This is my third trip," Krushinsky said Wednesday morning. "I was also here for the 30th and 35th anniversaries. It's a very different experience each time."Tonight, Krushinsky will be attending a concert at the FedEx Forum featuring a recording of Elvis' lead vocals paired with a symphony orchestra.That event is a stark contrast to 10 years ago, when many of Elvis' bandmates were still alive."I can remember when I first started coming, the concert was basically a video of Elvis' lead vocals, with his bandmates playing the music," Krushinsky said."It was fascinating. These guys, many of them 70 and 80 years old, essentially playing his music with him live for the first time in a very long time."Krushinsky's interest in Elvis stems back to his parents' trips to Graceland.When they would tell him he should visit, he didn't initially understand the fascination."I thought, I like his music but I already have that, so why would I go?" he said. "But I just think it's interesting to take a look at how this individual started with humble beginnings in a very small two-room house and became the most recognizable entertainer in the world."Tuesday night, Krushinsky attended a candlelight vigil and was "amazed at the different number of languages he heard spoken while in line."It's akin, he said, to his own visit to Mozart's birth house in Austria.Crowd numbers continue to trend up during the major anniversary years and Krushinsky credits part of that to the constantly changing exhibits and the involvement of Elvis' family in the event."At any one time, there is only 30 percent of the collection on display, so you're almost always seeing something different when you come," he said. "I'm also impressed with how his family has participated."During the vigil, Lisa Marie and the children came down the driveway to greet people. They are so far past the point, in a business sense, where they need to do that."The schedule of activities this week at Graceland concludes on Saturday.