The 25th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival celebrated a milestone from July 26th to July 28th with this year’s theme “Homecoming” recognizing and reminiscing with fans, friends and family that makes Collingwood and Elvis so very unique and special.
This marked the last year the town of Collingwood was hosting the event as the festival returns to its roots in 2020 managed by a private events host scheduled from July 24th to July 26th.
This is a two-part series and in this first segment, Dianna gets up close and personal with Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists and Grand Champions such as 2019 Collingwood Elvis Festival, Sylvain Leduc from Valleyfield, Quebec; 2016 Collingwood Grand Champion, Oliver Steinoff from Steinbach, Germany; 2006/2008 Collingwood Grand Champion, Pete Paquette from Milton, Ontario; 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Jay Dupuis from Baton Rouge, Louisianna; 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Dean Z from Branson, Missouri and the first ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist proclaimed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Shawn Klush from Pittston, Pennsylvania.
The second segment (available next week) will feature Elvis’ co-stars: Cynthia Pepper (Kissin’ Cousin), Marlyn Mason (The Trouble with Girls), Elvis’ security and friend, Sam Thompson, Festivals Co-ordinator, Rosemarie Garrity-O’Brien, 2019 Grand Champion, Sylvain Leduc and representing Collingwood at the upcoming Elvis Week in Memphis, Michal Cullipher.
A special thanks to Rosemarie Garrity-O’Brien for her dedication, devotion and passion over the two decades with the Collingwood Elvis Festival.
A shout out goes to the Elvis Presley Enterprises and Rosemarie Garrity-O’Brien for making these interviews possible.
Photo: Dianna with Dean Z. Thanks to Wasaga Mike of Wasaga Beach TV.