Collingwood Elvis Festival

The Collingwood Elvis Festival is an annual event that has been going since 1995. It is held in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. It attracts Elvis Impersonators from around the world.[1]

Background

According to Redefining Success: Still Making Mistakes by W. Brett Wilson, the festival is the largest one of its type in the world and is sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises under an annual Licence Agreement.[2] During the week of the festival, Elvis Tribute Artists will be performing in local bars and night clubs, with "Vegas style" shows in the municipal Arena. The highlight of the festival is on a main stage in the center of the town.[3]

Past performers

Hal Niedzviecki's book, Hello, I'm Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity tells of a former Anglican priest, Rev. Dorian Baxter who went by the name of Elvis Priestly was no longer welcome at the festival due to his performing Elvis funerals for dead fans.[4] Baxter was persuaded by his daughter to enter the festival in 1996.[5]

Rosemarie O'Brien, Collingwood Elvis Festival Event Co-Ordinator for the Town of Collingwood, confirms that Rev. Baxter has never been "not welcome" back to the festival but rather would be required to adhere to the festival's rules and guidelines which precludes any activity that could be interpreted by Elvis Presley Enterprises as derogatory to the image and likeness of Elvis Presley, and could therefore, jeopardize the festival's license agreement.

The winner for 2016 was a German performer, Oliver Steinhoff. He was the first German to win at the festival.[6]

Previous international winners of the Collingwood Elvis Festival includes Elvis Tribute Artists from the United Kingdom, Australia, the U.S.A. and now, Germany.

Historical Winners

Events within

During the festival there is another event called the Live & Original Music Series which began in 2015. More of an event at grass-roots level, this is for unknown artists to show their talents and original material. The winner for the L & O Showdown for 2015 was Gina Horswood and for 2016 was Mike Charette.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Collingwood Elvis Festival Festival history
  2. ↑ Redefining Success: Still Making Mistakes, By W Brett Wilson
  3. ↑ Elvis Religion: The Cult of the King, By Gregory L. Reece - 34 -
  4. ↑ Hello, I'm Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity, By Hal Niedzviecki Page 45 Alone Together
  5. ↑ In Search Of Elvis: A Journey to Find the Man Beneath the Jumpsuit, By Charlie Connelly
  6. ↑ Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin, Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Elvis organizers happy with festival By JT McVeigh
  7. ↑ Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin, Friday, July 27, 2012 International tribute artists in town for the Collingwood Elvis Festival By Hannah Vanderkooy
  8. ↑ Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin, Friday, July 27, 2012 International tribute artists in town for the Collingwood Elvis Festival By Hannah Vanderkooy
  9. ↑ Daily Mail, 7 August 2014 The King of Elvis impersonators is... a Stoke barber: Judges name singer most convincing act at festival held in tribute
  10. ↑ Barrie Examiner, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Norm Ackland Jr. crowned grand champion of 2015 Collingwood Elvis Festival by Paul Brian
  11. ↑ Simcoe.com, Jul 25, 2016 Collingwood Elvis Festival crowns German king By Erika Engel
  12. ↑ Wire Service , 07/24/2016 Media Release: Mike Charette wins the L&O Showdown

External links

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