Tribute artists flock to Collingwood as Elvis Fest in full swing

CTV Barrie: Hail to the King in Collingwood Tribute artists are converging in Collingwood this weekend to celebrate the king of Rock and Roll, and Roger Klein is there to take it in.

One after another, Elvis tribute artist took to the main stage in downtown Collingwood as the music got started at the 20th-annual Elvis Festival.

There are no reserved seats at this event and Dorothy Jeffries arrived in the middle of the night – not a moment too soon.

“We had a little nappy-poo and came down here at 1:30 a.m. and this is where we ended up,” says Jeffries, who made her way up from Toronto. “We thought we would be closer to the stage, but they beat us to it.”

For many, the Elvis Festival is more about moving to the music than sitting down to watch and enthusiasm is always running high at the Friday-night street party. Local resident Gail Richards couldn't help herself when she ran into a “Jumpsuit Elvis” on the street.

“Are you kidding me”, exclaimed Richards. “Look at it! Look! Look! I mean it's hot! And I'm not talking about the weather.”

There are more than 100 tribute artists in Collingwood and they all take turns entertaining the crowd and even though this is the 20th year for the festival, it continues to draw visitors and entertainers to Collingwood.

Cliff Wright travels all over North America performing Elvis' songs and this is his first time here.

“Collingwood fits in as the best event I have ever been to,” says Wright.

“God I have been to a lot of venues, I was in Monroe, Louisiana last week and I thought that was it and then I come up here and it's overwhelming how amazing the people are here.”

Linda Carter is here with her friends from Ottawa and they always stay for the entire weekend.

“We do Friday and for sure the Sunday Morning Gospel and the Finals and we fill in the rest with other things,” says Carter.

Mirella fits right in with her great attitude about the king of Rock and Roll.

“It’s one big family,” says Mirella. “And everybody is here having a great time and they are all here to celebrate one person: Elvis Presley.”