The King might be dead, but you won't have to travel too far to see some of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world next weekend. The Blue Suede Music Festival will bring 18 Elvis tribute artists to the Busby Sports Grounds from Aug.
The King might be dead, but you won't have to travel too far to see some of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world next weekend.
The Blue Suede Music Festival will bring 18 Elvis tribute artists to the Busby Sports Grounds from Aug. 25-26, with as many as 2,000 guests expected.
Trudy Taphorn organizes the festival, which has now become a major tourist draw to the area. For the first two years, she held the festival on her property as a more informal event for her and like-minded Elvis aficionados.
Artists and fans alike seem to enjoy the format, which is not a competition like many other prominent festivals, but is instead just a showcase of the music that so many enjoy.
"The thing they like about this is it's not a competition," she said. "They don't have to worry if the other guy's hair is better or if the other guy's jumpsuit is better."
Although there is no competitive aspect to this show, many of the artists who attend are well-known in the tribute artist circuit.
One confirmed performer, Adam Fitzpatrick, took first place at a competition in San Diego and earned his spot to compete at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 17-18.
Taphorn said despite the work involved in organizing her festival, she'll be making a trip down to Memphis to take in that show as well.
"I shouldn't be going, I guess, considering I have so much to do for the festival, but some of my guys are going there and I want to support them," she said.
Unlike the competitive festivals, the tribute artists at the Blue Suede Festival are able to just focus on putting on the best show possible.
Fans are obviously responsive to the format as well. Taphorn said RV reservations are up to more than 120 for this year, compared to only 30 last year.
She said she expects overall attendance to make a similar jump from the 530 who attended last year.
"Going by what people are telling us, with the phone calls and everything, we're preparing for about 2,000," she said.
The booming interest in the show is what motivated Taphorn to move to a bigger venue this year, with bigger services to match. There will be an additional concession stand this year, a beer garden and assorted merchandise vendors.
Similar to last year, there will be silent auction items available, a trivia contest and some door prizes. The proceeds will again go to four area charities: food banks in St. Albert, Morinville and Westlock, and the Ripple Connection in Barrhead.
"This is just keeping with Elvis's love of doing charity," Taphorn said.
There will also still be fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches available, an appropriate snack for such a festival.
"That is the signature dish at the concession; it was Elvis's favourite junk food, his favourite snack," she said.
Admission to the festival is just $5 for both days, and food donations will also be accepted. For more information about the festival or to see a full lineup, visit www.bluesuedemusicfestival.com.
