Collingwood, ON – The 16th Annual Collingwood Elvis® Festival, the largest of its kind in the world, takes place Thursday, July 22 – Sunday, July 25, 2010.  The Collingwood Elvis Festival features some of the greatest Elvis tribute artists in the industry competing for the title of Collingwood Elvis Festival Grand Champion in the categories of Professional Early Years, Professional Concert Years, Non-Professional Early Years and Non-Professional Concert Years. 

Tickets for the Collingwood Elvis Festival will be on sale beginning at 10am on Tuesday, December 1st.  To book your tickets, call toll free 1-866-444-1162 or order and print your tickets online at www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com

The 16th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival themed “Welcome Home Elvis” features more than two dozen Vegas-style shows starring the industry’s best Elvis tribute artists, a three-day competition with professional, non-professional, and youth categories, a street party, venue tour, vendor alley, parade, and midway.  There’s something for every member of the family and for every budget with free events and ticketed shows ranging from $5 - $70.  New this year choose from two ticket package deals.  The Festival Sampler features a ticket to one performance each day of the festival valued at $73 for a package price of only $65.  Or if you’re only in town for the weekend, try the Weekend Bundle and take in a matinee and an evening performance Saturday and Sunday of the festival for only $99, a savings of $11.  Take advantage of additional savings prior to the introduction of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and buy your tickets by July 1st 2010.

The 16th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival preliminary schedule of events is as follows (schedule and content subject to change without notice):

ELVIS IS BACK

Saturday, July 24, 2010, 2pm – 4pm starring four Collingwood Champions.  A look at Elvis’ pre & post Army days including famous interviews, a new album and movie, and other great moments.

CROWNING OF THE KING

Saturday, July 24, 2010, 8pm – 11:30pm featuring our 2009 Champions Thane Dunn and Chris Ayotte, in addition to an impressive roster of other Collingwood Past Champions.  An independent “one night only” head to head competition of our Professional Collingwood Champions to see who will reign the overall Collingwood Champion in our Early Years and Concert Years Divisions.  This will be a must see event never offered before at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. 

INSPIRATIONAL ELVIS

Sunday, July 25, 2010, 1pm – 3pm featuring over a dozen “Invitation Only” competitors in our Gospel Competition with your Host, Jay Zanier, 2009 Gospel Champion. 

THE GRAND FINALS

Sunday, July 25, 2010, 6pm – 10:30pm where we crown our 2010 Champions and select our overall highest scoring Champion to represent the Collingwood Elvis Festival in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, TN, in August.  This is a sell-out event!

Also see a variety of shows at the historic Gayety Theatre including:

SPEND AN EVENING WITH ELVIS

Thursday, July 22, 2010, offering two shows, 7pm and 9:30pm starring four different performers in an intimate, informal, up close and personal setting.  Experience great Elvis music from some of the industry’s best Tribute Artists.

AWARD WINNING ELVIS

Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 9pm - 11:30pm featuring past champion Vili Verhovsek and three additional outstanding Collingwood Champions offering up a selection of Award Winning moments and songs in Elvis’ impressive and illustrious career.  One night only!

This summer join friends, family, and fans in the heart of Historic Downtown Collingwood, 1 ½ hours north of Toronto on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay, for four days of unparalleled entertainment.  The 16th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival takes place July 22 – 25, 2010.  Visit www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com now for more details on performance dates, locations, and prices. The Collingwood Elvis Festival is a proud recipient of the 2009 Festivals & Events Ontario Top 100 Event Award.