Collingwood Elvis Festival

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The Collingwood Elvis Festival was an annual event featuring Elvis Tribute Artists, started in 1995. It was held in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, and drew an international selection of performers and saw attendees from worldwide destinations.

Contents

The festival retired in 2019 after 25 successful years.

Background

In 1995 Former Elvis Tribute Artist,Billy Cann collaborated with the Town of Collingwood to bring in The Canadian National Elvis Tribute and Convention. [1] The festival was the largest 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 perform 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. The festival historically includes a candlelight vigil and an Elvis Tribute Artist Parade. [3]

Past performers

The winner of the first festival was Ray Guillemette Jr. Guillemette and he has since performed at every Collingwood Elvis Festival except in 2001 when he was hit by a drunk driver and lost his leg. He returned to the festival in 2002 and competed again through the use of a prosthetic limb. [4]

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. [5] Baxter was persuaded by his daughter to enter the festival in 1996. [6] Rosemarie O'Brien, Collingwood Elvis Festival Event Co-Ordinator for the Town of Collingwood, confirmed that Rev. Baxter has never been unwelcome at the festival, but 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.

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

Historical Winners

Brycen Katolinsky (Gospel). [10]

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. [11]

Privatization of management

The festival has historically been financially backed by the town of Collingwood, though the last town-funded festival took place in 2019. [12] A member of the Collingwood council cited increased financial risk to the community due to steadily decreasing attendance and revenues, though the festival still had a positive financial impact of over $700,000 in 2018. [13] The annual upfront expense to the town is around $50,000. [14] The town intends to transfer management of the festival to a private backer for the 2020 edition[ needs update ], but as of July 2019, no transfer had been finalized. [15]

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References

  1. ↑ Edwards, John (July 21, 2014). "Collingwood Elvis Festival: King of the Festivals after 20-years running". Simcoe County News. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  2. ↑ Redefining Success: Still Making Mistakes, By W Brett Wilson
  3. ↑ Elvis Religion: The Cult of the King, By Gregory L. Reece - 34 -
  4. ↑ Herald, Alliston (July 22, 2009). "Hail to the King: Elvis festival celebrates 15th anniversary". Simcoe County News. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  5. ↑ Hello, I'm Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity, By Hal Niedzviecki Page 45 Alone Together
  6. ↑ In Search Of Elvis: A Journey to Find the Man Beneath the Jumpsuit, By Charlie Connelly
  7. 1 2 Venderkoov, Hannah (July 12, 2012). "International tribute artists in town for the Collingwood Elvis Festival". Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  8. ↑ Barrie Examiner , Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Norm Ackland Jr. crowned grand champion of 2015 Collingwood Elvis Festival by Paul Brian
  9. ↑ Simcoe.com, Jul 25, 2016 Collingwood Elvis Festival crowns German king By Erika Engel
  10. 1 2 3 "NEWS". Collingwood Elvis Festival. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  11. ↑ Wire Service , 07/24/2016 Media Release: Mike Charette wins the L&O Showdown
  12. ↑ Klein, Roger (July 25, 2019). "Final town-run Elvis Festival kicks off this weekend". CTV News. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  13. ↑ Edwards, John (July 23, 2019). "The 25th Collingwood Elvis Festival marks the end of an era". Simcoe County News. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  14. ↑ Engel, Erika (April 2, 2019). "Elvis fans are skeptical about private management of Collingwood's Elvis Festival". Barrie Today. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  15. ↑ Engel, Erika (July 22, 2019). "It's Elvis weekend, and here's a guide to four days of Presley-themed events". Collingwood Today.
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