60 Elvis Tribute Artists Competing for $10,000 at Lake George Elvis Festival

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60 Elvis Tribute Artists Competing for $10,000 at Lake George Elvis Festival

May 24, 2012

Lake George is about to have an Elvis invasion – 60 Elvis tribute artists will be joined by fans and bands to rock the 2012 Lake George Elvis Festival which is being held May 31 – June 3.

Fans will be able to cheer for, dance to and vote for their favorite among more than 60 Elvis tribute artists competing for $10,000 in prize money in five competition divisions and six categories. One tribute artist will be chosen to represent the festival at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis during Elvis Week 2012, August 10 – 18

One of the highlights of the four-day event is Saturday night’s “Elvis: 35 Years Later,” which will allow all the guests to relive the music and many styles of Elvis’ long career. Shawn Klush, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Winner from Elvis Week 2007, will be the featured performer. Fans will also be treated to Dwight Icenhower’s tribute to Elton John and Denny Diamond recreating the sound and swagger of Neil Diamond.

“We are very excited about the festival’s many events and venues that we’ve organized and scheduled this year for our guests,” said Jason Sherry, president of Sherry Management, LLC and festival director. “The Lake George Elvis Festival is always a great time and a successful celebration because Elvis’ loyal fans come in droves and we receive excellent support from our festival sponsors, and especially the Lake George community.”

Elvis’ music and the devotion of his fans from throughout New York and surrounding states will be in evidence at various Lake George area locations. Shepard Park is the site for the 2012 Lake George Elvis Festival opening ceremony, which is free to the public and begins at 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 31.

Fans will then be hurrying to the Tiki Hotel’s Whispers Ball Room to stake claim to a position close to the stage, as some of the most popular Elvis tribute artists honor the king and his music in their own way during Thursday night’s featured event, “Interpreting Elvis.” Although the all-star lineup of ETAs had not been finalized at press time, Cliff Wright, the festival’s 2011 '50s champion, will perform as well as Robert Washington, the 2007 '70s division winner.

Highlighted among the events for Friday, June 1 is the opening of the "Elvis Collectibles Sale," which will then be open throughout the festival at the Lake George Forum. Friday evening will be a late night for many of Elvis’ rockin’ fans, as the "Tribute to Rock and Roll History" show starts at 8:00 pm.

Seven of the immortals of rock ‘n’ roll will fill the Lake George Forum with their equally immortal music. With his tribute to the king, 2011 Grand Champion Jay Zanier will take center stage, but the other tribute performers will reaffirm their artists’ share of rock ‘n’ roll heaven. Cliff Wright returns to the stage, not as Elvis, but in tribute to Johnny Cash. Other tribute performances will include Irv Cass (Tom Jones), Steve Bobbitt (Rod Stewart), Jesse Aron (Roy Orbison) and Robert Washington (James Brown); and Jerry Connelly will appear for the first time at the Lake George Elvis Festival with his tribute to Gene Pitney.

Festival goers will then move to the Boardwalk Restaurant for the "Elvis After Hours Party." Everyone will be rockin’ and dancin’ into the wee hours and fans will be able meet their favorite tribute artists, and maybe even join them in a duet.

Another Elvis After Hours Party is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, at King Neptune’s Pub, following Saturday evening’s big show. Festival attendees will have already enjoyed a full day of activities with the "Elvis Classic Car Parade" during the morning and multiple appearances of ETAs throughout the Lake George region.

Sunday, June 3 will provide even more fun for Elvis fans, with the Elvis Gospel Music Concert at 9:00 am, the Ultimate Elvis Wedding at 10:00 am and the Festival Wrap Party at 7:00 pm.

The Wingate by Wyndham Lake George will be the official headquarters hotel for the 2012 Lake George Elvis Festival. It and other hotels, inns and lakeside resorts are offering special room rates for festival attendees.

To find complete information about the 2012 Lake George Elvis Festival, and to buy tickets, visit www.LakeGeorgeElvisFest.com or call the festival hotline (518)-681-7452.