Unanimous Vote At Council Table To Move Forward With 2010 Festival

Collingwood Council has unanimously endorsed moving forward with the 2010 Collingwood Elvis Festival.  Council’s support followed a good news presentation from the Collingwood Elvis Festival Municipal Services Board that projected a profit for the 2009 festival, despite tough economic times in Canada and the United States, and some of the worst weather ever experienced for the annual July event.

Manager of Arts, Culture and Special Events for the Town of Collingwood Karen Cubitt told council that the Elvis Committee began putting together a strategic plan for 2010 in September.  “It is the mission of the Collingwood Elvis Festival Municipal Services Board to showcase the Collingwood region to the world as a friendly, safe, vibrant, historic region which offers enjoyable experiences to its residents and visitors” Cubitt told council.

Collingwood Elvis Festival Manager Rosemarie O’Brien told council that the 2009 festival is expected to turn of profit of $19,000.00.  O’Brien said that the fact that the festival turned a profit despite inclement weather in 2009 shows how loyal fans of the festival are.  “We had the worst weather that I’ve seen to date, and I’ve been with the festival since 1998.  The fact that we have a good news story and have made money shows the loyalty of the Elvis fans that still come to Collingwood and still deem this to be the best Elvis festival that they like to come to” O’Brien added.

Director of Leisure Services Peter Dunbar said that the festival managed to survive in 2009 despite tough economic times.  “The Americans weren’t coming across the border, people weren’t driving more than two-and-a-half hours anywhere, but still the core values of the Elvis Festival seem to shine through.  People came and people bought tickets” Dunbar said.

Board member Michael Christie told council that 44 percent of the festival’s budget was spent locally.  “245,000.00 was spent by the festival in the town of Collingwood and surrounding area last year, which over the last four years has added up to just over one million dollars” Christie said.  “We try to spend as much as we can here like everybody else does and it’s nice when it comes together with the plan” Christie added. 

Downtown Collingwood BIA Manager Sue Nicholson said that in terms of marketing, the festival talks “Collingwood” first when promoting the festival.  “Our visuals, our copy and through the electronic media as well, the message that we’re taking is the venue, what it is and certainly where it is and what a great place Collingwood is to vacation and to bring the family and to return to as well” Nicholson said.  “We have seen strong support from our media partners as well as strong support from the Province of Ontario” Nicholson added, saying that the festival benefited from many provincial marketing initiatives.

Remembering the 2009 Elvis Festival

It all began fifteen years ago, in 1995. The Vacation Inn, now known as Georgian Manor Resort, hosted the "Canadian Elvis Tribute and Convention." The foundation was set for what was to become one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world, now known as the Collingwood Elvis Festival.

In 2009, Summer's Biggest Party failed to disappoint, attracting over 120 Elvis Tribute artists and thousands of visitors to Downtown Collingwood. Tribute artists arrived in Collingwood from all parts of Canada, the United States, and beyond. Former champion Dean Vegas from Australia returned to the festival for 2009. Edmonton's Robin Kelly, another past champion, returned to what he says is the best festival anywhere in the world. Paul Ross was here, travelling to Collingwood from Austin, Texas. Roy Leblanc returned to Collingwood as a past Champion and a past Vegas Champion. Leblanc is a huge crowd favourite wherever he goes. This year, Leblanc performed throughout the weekend and acted as host at the Sunday afternoon Elvis Gospel Competition. In 2008, Roy Leblanc was honoured as the festival Gospel Champion.

A huge attraction is the Friday Night Awesome Street Party and Tribute Artist Showcase. The music began at 3pm, but people were lining up to get a front row seat as early as 6am. The music was non-stop and the crowd enjoyed seeing one tribute artist after another take to the main street stage.

Downtown Collingwood BIA General Manager Sue Nicholson said that the festival has become much more "family friendly" over the years, with an emphasis on providing activities that family members can enjoy together. In 2009, the festival introduced Kid's Fest at Millennium Park on Collingwood's waterfront. Children could also enjoy riding the rides and playing the games at the downtown midway.

Saturday morning's Classic Car Tribute Artist Parade" is always another popular event of the festival, attracting thousands of spectators as it winds through the downtown streets.