One of music91裸聊视频檚 most beloved phrases could have been said dozens of times Saturday, June 24, in Penticton: Elvis is in the building.
Elvis Presley enthusiasts from across the globe are back in Penticton this weekend for one of Canada91裸聊视频檚 largest and longest-running tribute festivals.
Dozens of performers at both Okanagan Lake Park and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre are vying to win the beloved festival, including 70-year-old Robert Falls from Powell River.
91裸聊视频淚 was at the first Penticton Elvis Festival more than 20 years ago,91裸聊视频� said Falls, who added that he has just as much fun on stage now as he did in the early 2000s. 91裸聊视频淚 just love it so much and so it91裸聊视频檚 nice to all the people here91裸聊视频91裸聊视频檝e never met a bad Elvis fan.91裸聊视频�
The festival returned with record crowds in 2022 following a multi-year hiatus. Although Elvis hasn91裸聊视频檛 officially 91裸聊视频榣eft the building91裸聊视频� quite yet for the weekend, event organizers are already touting this year91裸聊视频檚 edition as the best yet.
91裸聊视频淚t just keeps on getting better and better, and bigger and bigger,91裸聊视频� said Mike Schell, president of the festival. 91裸聊视频淚n terms of gate sales, we tripled what we usually do for our opening day (Friday) and topped our record from last year.91裸聊视频�
Saturday91裸聊视频檚 festivities also featured special guest Linda Thompson, Presley91裸聊视频檚 longtime girlfriend.
The songwriter, actress and former Miss USA Tennessee was joined by her brother Sam Thompson, Presley91裸聊视频檚 old bodyguard.
Thompson 91裸聊视频� who91裸聊视频檚 written songs for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and the Backstreet Boys 91裸聊视频� was seen greeting fans, including a six-year-old from Calgary, Noah, who was dressed in Elvis-themed attire.
Then there were others at the festival, like Jeremy Santa Cruz, who hadn91裸聊视频檛 been to Penticton since 1986 but decided to overcome his nerves and get on stage to sing some of his favourite Presley tunes.
91裸聊视频淭his is the first time I91裸聊视频檓 in the impersonator world, and I91裸聊视频檓 just loving it,91裸聊视频� the Richmond resident said.
The festival continues early Sunday morning at Okanagan Lake Park before the event91裸聊视频檚 finals take place at the trade and convention centre.
Schell says people can still grab their tickets for Sunday by visiting the park.
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
