Collingwood, ON – May 19, 2009 – Organizers of The Collingwood Elvis Festival are thrilled to announce an impressive lineup of headliners for the 2009 Collingwood Elvis Festival: Celebrating Collingwood Memories. The 15th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival will take place Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2009. The Collingwood Elvis Festival features some of the greatest Elvis tribute artists in the industry competing for the honor of participating in The 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, held during the annual "Elvis Week" festivities in August at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. The Collingwood Elvis Festival is officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Collingwood Elvis Festival Manager Rosemarie O’Brien said the roster of headliners for this year’s event was impressive. She stated,, “The Collingwood Elvis Festival features more than two dozen shows starring the industry’s best Elvis tribute artists and a three-day competition with professional, non-professional, and youth categories. This will be a weekend packed full of entertainment for the whole family. The high quality of Elvis Tribute Artists on this year’s talent list has resulted in one of the best line-ups in festival history.”

Entertainment for the festival kicks off with “Reliving the Magic” featuring Stephen Kabakos at the Collingwood Curling Club on Friday, July 24th from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are only $45 per person for Reserved Table Seating. Kabakos is a crowd pleaser wherever he performs. ,Stephen’s authentic performance, style and charisma always leave an audience wanting more. He returns for a third year as a featured Headliner for the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Don’t miss this one night only concert featuring this dynamic performer.

Spectacular Las Vegas-style concerts featuring some of the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the business begin Saturday, July 25th, with a Matinee Show on the Main Stage in the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena. The 4th Annual Elvis Trivia Concert “Remembering Elvis” is scheduled for earlier in the day on Saturday, from 2pm – 4pm and tickets are $20 - $40. Emceed by award-winning Tribute Artist Stephen Kabakos, the trivia contest will feature Elvis Tribute Artists and past Grand Champions of the Festival including Gino Monopoli (2003), Robin Kelly (2002), Jay Zanier (2007) and Daylin James (1997), and offers a fabulous prize to an audience member who answers the questions correctly for the Elvis Trivia Contest. This contest will be offered exclusively to ticket holders attending the Saturday Matinee Show.

Considered the “must see” event of the Festival is the Saturday Main Show, “ELVIS: Celebrating Collingwood Memories,” starting at 8pm in the heart of Downtown Collingwood in the beautiful Eddie Bush Arena. Experience historic moments in music made famous by Elvis as we salute our Collingwood Champions over the past 14 years. This show will be emceed by award-winning Tribute Artist Stephen Kabakos and will include Collingwood Grand Champions David Muggeridge (2008) and Pete Paquette (2008), Ben Klein (2005), Shawn Barry (1998), Ray Guillemette Jr. (1995 & 1997), Dean Vegas (2000) and Special Guest Headliner, Shawn Klush.

Festival goers will also want to be sure to attend “Moments to Remember” starring three outstanding Grand Champions, featured at our historic Gayety Theatre on Saturday, July 25, from 8 pm – 11:30 pm. Tickets are $40 per person. David Lee took 2004 by storm as he was voted People's Choice and garnered Professional Concert Years Grand Champion of the Collingwood Elvis Festival competition. Kitchener native Shon Carroll, also known as The Canadian Flash, has been exceeding audience expectations with his charismatic and energetic performances, taking home the Professional Early Years Grand Champion title in Collingwood and in Lake George, New York’s annual Elvis Festival in 2004. This “Moments to Remember” event also stars Dwight Icenhower, 2007Collingwood Elvis Festival Grand Champion.

Sunday, July 26 will get started in style with the Inspirational Elvis Gospel Competition, hosted by Roy LeBlanc, winner of the 2008 Inspirational Elvis Gospel Competition. A star-studded list of competitors will perform some of the great gospel songs of Elvis’ storied career, including Mark Anthony, Chris Ayotte, Garyelvis Britt, Jeff Marsh, Wayne Curtis, Rick Duin, Thane Dunn, Darrin Hagel, Doug McKenzie, James Gibb, Marcus Wells, Wayne Junior, Ben Klein, Lance Dobinson, Thor Bonfig, David Muggeridge and Jay Zanier. The contestants in the Inspirational Elvis Gospel Competition will be vying for a $1,000 prize and their live gospel performances will be backed by the Casino Brothers Band, led by Paco Danesi.

Sunday, July 26 also features the Main Stage Sirius Satellite Radio Grand Finals with the top three finalists from the weekend’s three rounds of competition in the Youth, Non-Professional and Professional divisions representing The Early Years and The Concert Vegas Years. This event, co-hosted by renowned International Elvis Tribute Artist and 2001 Collingwood Grand Champion Roy LeBlanc, is a nail-biting cliffhanger with audience roars of approval supporting their favorites. Sirius Satellite Radio representatives will be on hand to present top honors to Collingwood’s latest Memphis Qualifying Representative who will receive the honor of participating in The 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, held during the annual "Elvis Week" festivities in August at Graceland.

Other official Festival venues offering Tribute Artist performances and showcases include the Gayety Theatre in Downtown Collingwood, which will play host to the Starshine Series throughout the festival. Fans can enjoy 45-minute sets of your favorite Elvis Tribute Artist in cushy seats and air-conditioned comfort. A must see for the budget conscious fan with tickets costing only $8.00 and available in advance. Reserved Seating only.

The Sirius Satellite Radio Collingwood Elvis Festival enters its 15th consecutive year with an expanded lineup of spectacular musical tributes and a range of inexpensive family events, including the 50’s dance with Freddy Vette and The Flames in the Festival Gardens on Saturday, July 25, midway rides and games running all weekend, the famous vendors block with a range of fun Elvis merchandise, great food, and more.

The 15th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival, the largest of its kind in the world, takes place Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2009. Join friends, family, and fans in the heart of Historic Downtown Collingwood, 1½ hours north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay, for four days of unparalleled entertainment. Tickets for the Collingwood Elvis Festival are available by calling toll free 1-866-444-1162 or by ordering and printing tickets online at collingwoodelvisfestival.com.

Remembering the 2008 Collingwood Elvis Festival.