This weekend would have been the 29th Collingwood Elvis Festival … had there not been a pandemic … and had the Town not shut it down for good after 2019. For the vast majority of the Collingwood Elvis Festival goers, who returned to Collingwood and Blue Mountain year after year after year, the fact that the Town no longer wanted to run this festival was and continues to be inconceivable. But the Town didn’t share our passion for Elvis. And the Town didn’t understand what the festival was all about. Yes, at its core, it was about Elvis. But it was so much more than just that. It was about the community that came together for 4 days every summer. And it is for this reason, that the 3rd weekend of July will forever feel a little (or more likely very) hollow for those of us who were fortunate to experience it.
Obviously, a love for Elvis. Increasingly more often, out of curiosity. Or because a friend convinced them to come. Why do people keep coming back to an Elvis Festival? For the community. Hands down, people continue to come to Elvis Festivals because of the community they find there. They make friends that they continue to interact with online. They meet up with those friends at other Elvis shows. They return again to the Elvis Festival to experience what is akin to a family reunion. And they begin to plan their vacations around attending these festivals, traveling around the continent and increasingly around the world to attend other Elvis Festivals, continually meeting up with and adding to this ‘chosen family.’ And along the way, they learn more about Elvis and the music that both inspired him and was inspired by him and they come to love it. And they keep coming back. Or in the case of Collingwood, they kept coming back.
Friday Street Party
Left: Photo courtesy of Stacy Russo
Above:Â Photo courtesy of Town of Collingwood.
Collingwood was the first and largest Elvis Festival. But more importantly …
It was a place where many artists began their careers as performers. Starting out as an amateur Elvis Tribute Artist before turning it into a career as a professional ETA or as a performer / musician performing their own music.Â
It was a place where people just ‘turned on their Elvis’ that one time every year, trying out their chops at performing his music but more importantly, having fun with other Elvis fans who had dreams of being on stage.
It was a place where young fans could discover music that spoke to and inspired them.
It was a place where people of all ages, from young children to youth, to Gen Z, Millenials, Gen X and Boomers met each other, cheered for each other and learned about each other.
It was a place were everyone was accepted and belonged. Where people who would not otherwise meet each other or converse with each other not only came together but embraced each other along with their interests and sometimes their quirks.
It was a place that everyone who attended booked their vacations around, counted down the days to and began the countdown to again starting on the Monday following the Festival Grand Finals.
Saturday Headliner Show
Photo courtesy of Stacy Russo
It was a festival of cherished memories of …
Local charity performances
The Pub Crawl
Rounds of Competition
the Friday Street Party
Outdoor shows at Blue Mountain
Headliner shows
The Classic Car Parade
Afterparties
And The Grand Finals
For festival attendees, there are memories of:
Lining up for Elvis cookies at Tim Hortons to get your supply before they ran out for the weekend;
Getting up at 3:00 am Friday morning to rush down to Hurontario Street and set up chairs to reserve the best spot for the Friday Street Party;
Looking to escape the heat with some shade and a cold drink at Moguls on Friday afternoon;
The festival newspaper published in the morning getting everyone up to date on the previous day’s happenings and results;
Cheering on the youth at Pizza Hut on Saturday afternoon and trying to figure out which one would be a contender in the adult division one day;
Priscilla Presley;
The Elvis loving Chilean miner;
Sunday morning gospel service;
Saturday morning pancake breakfast;
The slightly moist combination of the heat of the arena and the chill rising from the floorboards covering the ice surface during the Headliner shows and Grand Finals;
Rushing the stage to get a sweaty scarf, towel or kiss;
The final weekend afterparty on Sunday night at the Olde’ Town Terrace.
The Grand Finals
Photo courtesy of Stacy Russo
And for the performers, there are memories of :
Mishaps with Elvis Attire;
Getting the hair just right;
Last minute jumpsuit repairs;
The heat backstage at The Gayety;
Or the heat backstage at The Curling Club;
The group ETA photo before the Classic Car Parade;
Sweltering in the early morning sun of the Classic Car parade;
Having the classic car you are riding in catch fire;
Fainting fans;
Hand cramps from signing too many programs;
Facial cramps from smiling in too many photos;
The early Sunday morning haze following a late Saturday night at an after party….
Or an after afterparty
A midnight charity performance at the downtown Collingwood Tim Hortons;
The changerooms at the Eddie Bush Arena;
The missing door on the bathroom of the changeroom at The Eddie Bush Arena;
Comparing boots backstage;
The perfumed flowers from The Flower Lady;
Waiting in line on Thursday outside of Rosemarie’s office for your weekend schedule and debrief.
On that note, attendees, but specifically the performers, will always remember the unrivaled loyalty and commitment of the festival’s GM Rosemarie O’Brien to the festival itself, its performers and volunteers. Without question, aside from Elvis, Rosemarie was the core of the Collingwood Elvis Festival. What it became was her vision. She was the one who grew it to become the world’s largest. She was the one who dreamed the scope of it and made it happen. She welcomed everyone who loved Elvis with open arms. It was inclusive.
Rosemarie O’Brien
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Everyone who desired to be a part of the festival became part of the temporary community that reassembled every third week of July. That was largely because of Rosemarie. She was tough when she needed to be, to make sure that the audience was never disappointed. She was a promoter of Elvis, his music and his image. She was also a promoter of each performer that took part, giving everyone who desired an opportunity to experience the festival stage and adulation of the crowd. She was part promoter, part sympathizer, part mother to her ETAs.
These are only a few of the reasons that Elvis & Co brought Rosemarie on board as Festival Ambassador.
The Collingwood Elvis Festival is responsible for much of what has arisen in the Elvis festival world since. It gave birth to countless ETAs, Elvis shows and other Elvis Festivals worldwide. It reminded many why they loved Elvis’ music; it created many Elvis lovers out of people who somehow had previously escaped his brilliance; it created new generations of Elvis fans. Many performers got their start at Collingwood and moved on to careers as professional ETAs or artists performing their own music. Some performers never performed anywhere except Collingwood but will always carry with them the memories of their moments on stage and the camaraderie backstage.
Elvis & Co has been inspired by Collingwood, its focus on Elvis and its commitment to providing a weekend of unparalleled music and entertainment. Several performers, artists, management and volunteers involved in Elvis & Co either got their start at Collingwood or participated in it in some way. Elvis & Co, however, will be quite different from Collingwood in several ways. The difference is in the name. Elvis & Co will be
equal parts Elvis and equal parts Company – new, energetic and exciting artists performing music that inspired Elvis or whose music has been inspired by him. It will explore Elvis’ influence on pop culture and will attempt to provide some new and immersive experiences to the Elvis world. Finally, it will endeavor to continue to expose new generations to the phenomenon that was Elvis.
We will not attempt to be a copy of Collingwood. But we hope that our attendees will come to love it just as much. That is a tall order. We will do our best.
For information on shows, tickets and Weekend Passes.
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In the meantime, we would love to hear your favourite memories of Collingwood. When did you start going? Who did you meet there? What did it mean to you?
11 years ago this past weekend, I had the privilege of hosting the Friday night street party and had access to meeting all the Elvis tribute artists. The radio station I was with at the time hosted live on location from the festival the entire weekend. It was such a blast & I’ll remember it always.
The town of Collingwood made an asinine move cancelling the Elvis Festival. This year could have been an amazing boost in tourism dollars for the community.
Hey Kevin, the Friday night street party was always one of our Festival’s most memorable events, both for its attendance and for the incredible talent that was offered to the fans.
Thank you for honoring us as our Friday Emcee. It was a long day but always a great time.
We always were very appreciative of the media support we received from radio, television and print.
Alot of folks share your opinion regarding the Festival’s retirement but thanks for being a special part of our history.
Please consider Elvis & Co. as an exciting extension of Elvis’ legacy which was the Collingwood Elvis Festival’s future vision, not only to maintain the Elvis connection with the fans but to “teach and reach” our younger fans about the importance of what this incredible artist of our century brought to our entertainment industry and musical culture.
I truly hope that you will join us in Huntsville for this inaugural year to continue the celebration of Elvis!
Be well and keep rockin’!
CommentI took mum to the Collingswood Elvis Presley festival, 24,out of 25 years. We only missed 1994. The year my grandfather passed away. We met so many people that worked with Elvis,and Elvis’s cousin Donna. It was always an awesome weekend event. The festival pumped alot of money into Collingswood. A real same they didn’t want it anymore. As a memorial to mum. My sister’s, brother in law, niece, nephew, and me spent sometime at Blue mountain two weeks ago. Good weather,great outings. Going back next year. Keep rocking. Keep Elvis’s memory alive. TCB in a flash. God Bless.
Hey Doug,
Thanks for being such a loyal Collingwood Elvis Festival supporter for so many years! What a great compliment to our town and our festival!
It’s wonderful that you still visit us, through Blue Mountain, and although it still saddens me that the Festival was retired, I hope that this new Elvis & Co festival will not be the Collingwood replacement but rather the new generation of what Collingwood always prioritized and that was to celebrate, enhance and recognize the legacy of Elvis Presley and what he brought to the world and music history!
Elvis & Co can revitalize all that Collingwood tried to achieve through new ideas, initiatives, and innovation.
I am so excited to be part of this incredible creative journey.
Come join in the fun! I would love to see you and say hello.
I have a lot of special memories from all my years at Collingwood, having competed in more than half. My favorite, however, was getting the honor of singing at the funeral of someone who was a stranger to all of us there, but townsfolk got together to make it happen. Every year after I returned to the festival, and Willem’s gravesite, and I miss the events and folks dearly.
Hey Keith,
You were always part of our Collingwood Elvis Family and it was a very special thing that you did for that grieving family who lost someone they loved.
That is the sort of memory that you will never forget but also that family will never forget. You represented Elvis and his incredible kindness very well and Collingwood thanks you for making us part of your life and career!
Although Collingwood has regrettably retired, please consider attending and supporting Elvis & Co in 2023. It is how I wanted to see Elvis’ legacy continued into the future with youthful vibrance.
I hope you will be there! I know I will.
Be well my Elvis friend.
Comment we went to Collingwood 18 of the 25 years. Loved every minute of it.I never knew Collingwood existed till the Elvis festival. I wished they had kept it going I will miss it forever. Ment a person who is now one of my best friends there. Collingwood was the place to be. HOPE THEY BRING IT BACK.
Hi Anita,
I thank you so much for the kind words regarding the Collingwood Elvis Festival and I am even happier that you found a great friend who remains part of your life through our Festival.
I appreciate all the Elvis fans who became Collingwood fans and I hope you will give Elvis & Co the same opportunity to win your heart as an Elvis enthusiast.
Be well and keep rocking!
I became an Elvis fan at the age of 6 which was the year Elvis died. Most of my life I was a closet Elvis fan because there was no quality entertainment to enjoy his music. Then in 1997, I was living in Collingwood because of my job and there was this weekend of Elvis entertainment and entertainers that blew me away! I went back every year after (maybe missed a year or two here and there) and introduced the festival to my friends and family. It was one of the first weekends I would book for my vacation time each year. I miss it so much! I remember the stage in the park behind Tim Hortons where I first watched the festival all the way to the big arena shows. Thank you for the memories.
Hello Melanie,
First, thank you for coming out of the “Elvis closet” and for making the Collingwood Elvis Festival such a special and important part of your life and vacation plans for so many years.
It’s because of the support and love from the fans that our Festival enjoyed such a long and successful lifespan. You are forever a part of its history.
As much as I loved our Collingwood Festival, I am so excited and honored to be chosen as the Elvis & Co. Festival Ambassador and be able to connect with all of you once again!
It’s up to all of us to support these new Festivals to keep the Elvis legacy forever alive for future generations.
Memphis can offer a personal glimpse into Elvis, the man, the superstar, but it is the Elvis fans and these incredible festivals, like Elvis & Co. that ultimately keep Elvis remembered, respected, and revered as his legacy deserves.
I hope you’ll join us in Huntsville where we can all begin making even more Elvis memories together!
Find me and say hi if you decide to join us,won’t you?
Unfortunately it’s not in the cards for me this year. It’s sounds wonderful. Hopefully it will continue and I will be able to attend in the future. I wish everyone involved much success.
Amazing memories from my many years at Collingwood that I will always cherished. Miss everyone 🥰
When 21 years 1 year walked from Craig leath as car broke down see the last
Show and waited too go back by a friend who drove down from orangevile that is how much a fan I was
Wow Sharon, that is the commitment of a true Elvis fan! Thank you for attending our Collingwood Elvis Festival for so many years. I admire, respect and love your passion.
You should really come and check out Elvis & Co if you’re able because not only is it going to be like a gathering of the Festival Family but it brings new energy, excitement and vision to the future of Elvis’ legacy and incredible career that has inspired so many new and upcoming musical artists, bands, and fans to appreciate Elvis and what he brought to music history for future generations to enjoy today.
Check out Elvis & Co and as Festival Ambassador I would love to meet you and welcome you personally.
Be well and keep the Elvis spirit in your beautiful soul!
Hey Bonnie, I am truly sad that you won’t be able to attend this Elvis & Co. inaugural event. You were always such an amazing person and a huge supporter of our Collingwood Elvis Festival for so many years. I don’t recall a single time you weren’t smiling and having a great time with us!
You need to bring that sparkle to Huntsville and become one of those bright lights for Elvis & Co. like you always were for Collingwood.
If you can’t make it this year, I completely understand but put this event on your radar for next year.
This event is going to be great!
I’ll miss your smiling face and hug!
Be well my friend.
Comment Collingwood was my vacation spot with my family I’m an Elvis tribute artist I started performing back in 1998 billy can days to bad he left because he was the 1 to start the festival I v continued going to the festival till the last year so many memories that’s for sure I wish and hope they broit back one day soon
Hi Joe, thanks for being such a loyal fan of our Festival. As an ETA you know how incredible the whole experience was for the fans and how much devotion and commitment all the ETAs brought to the event.
We all share some sadness and yearning for the festival years but we take so much pride in being inspirational to ETAs like yourself who continue to entertain and celebrate Elvis Presley still!
The new event, Elvis & Co in beautiful Huntsville and held at the stunning Deerhurst Resort will take Elvis events to a new level with innovative ideas, exciting shows and great special guests and features so you should come and check it out!
I am beyond honored and humbled to be invited as their Festival Ambassador and it will be a great thrill to reconnect with our “Festival Family” and welcome new fans to join in what we already know is a fun, entertaining and somewhat educational experience.
It would be great to see you again.
Hello Melanie,
First, thank you for coming out of the “Elvis closet” and for making the Collingwood Elvis Festival such a special and important part of your life and vacation plans for so many years.
It’s because of the support and love from the fans that our Festival enjoyed such a long and successful lifespan. You are forever a part of its history.
As much as I loved our Collingwood Festival, I am so excited and honored to be chosen as the Elvis & Co. Festival Ambassador and be able to connect with all of you once again!
It’s up to all of us to support these new Festivals to keep the Elvis legacy forever alive for future generations.
Memphis can offer a personal glimpse into Elvis, the man, the superstar, but it is the Elvis fans and these incredible festivals, like Elvis & Co. that ultimately keep Elvis remembered, respected, and revered as his legacy deserves.
I hope you’ll join us in Huntsville where we can all begin making even more Elvis memories together!
Find me and say hi if you decide to join us,won’t you?
Comments I live in collingwood and never missed one festival, it was the highlight of my year, as my home was already full of elvis before the festival came along. After a few years I started to gift teddy bears, each year made a few more ( actually made little capes during winter months). Then the last few years would ask rose Marie how many would be in the finals. The highlight of my years was the year I volunteered to drive and had the awesome pleasure of taking the tonetts and Dean Z to their hotels. Dean and the girls were so wonderful and I ask for a picture with them. I miss the festival very much.
Hi there,
I do miss the Elvis Collingwood Festival. I first went to it back in 2002 and finally became an ETA starting in 2004. I performed until 2016. I was sad to hear it ended after 2019. I guess everything must eventually end – but what great memories I have going there. From family members coming to see me to singing at different venues, I always felt welcomed and loved every minute of it. Good times!! Thank you, thank you very much! 🙂