Check out Blue Mountain Resort and the annual Elvis Festival in Collingwood, Ontario.
I’m sure that I saw Elvis in Collingwood that day. When we asked at the Tourist Information Centre (right across from the Walmart, where the big RVs overnight because it’s free) about a diner-style place for lunch, they suggested the Olde Red Hen Restaurant on Hurontario Street. Good call. Rye toast, perfect eggs, four kinds of meat, hashbrowns, coffee and raisin pie, all served up with an efficient smile. This is my kind of place, and today it has a very Graceland feel.
Elvis would have liked this car. I did.
And the crowd is very well behaved, making sure to fill only one side of the street with their fold-up camping chairs (fire regulations), waiting for the music to start on the main stage. This isn’t just blue-hairs from the King’s glory days either, there are kids everywhere, all tuned in to the memory and the spirit of Elvis. If you don’t have the right kind of hairdo, no problem, just buy a set of plastic sideburns along the way. And friendly… OMG, these people know how to have a good time.
Orderly crowds waiting to start the party at the Collingwood Elvis Festival
Collingwood was about to be rocked by the King, again. Once the music started – Elvis impersonators introduced by a local radio personality – we knew it was just the beginning of another Elvis extravaganza weekend. But we reluctantly moved on, sad to leave the party. After all, we had only stopped in for lunch. Long live the King!
Hi, i am doing a project in school about the Elvis Festival, may i use your photos if i give credit to you?
Thank you for asking and yes, you may. Let us know how you do.
Hi Bill, I am the media manager for the festival. If you need any more photos let me know. I have lots that we can send you. I also have an official program, schedule and other marketing material that could be helpful for your project. You can call me at 705.444.0123 and we can chat further.
Long live the King! I was not aware of this festival in Collingwood. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Barry. Yeah, a big deal in Collingwood as we discovered. And you would not believe the # of Elvis we saw!!!
Super photos! I wanted to go this year but figured I wouldn’t survive being surrounded by hundreds of Elvises just a few days after being surrounded in Key West by hundreds of Hemingway lookalikes:P Definitely will attend next year.