Collingwood Elvis Festival 2005

The Collingwood
Elvis Festival
2005 Edition!

Story and captions by Joanna
Pics by Doug McCready

Hello Elvis Fans, ETAs and Friends! Just when you thought your "Collingwood Experience" had hit its peak of excitement last year, new and exciting events were added to make you say "2005 Was The Best Year Ever!" And so on this 11th anniversary celebration, Collingwood, Ontario, home of the largest Elvis Festival in the world, gave the fans (as Bonnie Raitt would say) "Something To Talk About!" Every Sold out, Star Studded Spectacularly Stellar Show was Sensational and the crowds in attendance were ecstatic! Saturday's incredible show starring Ryan Pelton and Shawn Klush (who were complemented by last year's champs David Lee and Shon Carroll with guest Dean Vegas) needed extra security on the scene just to keep the fans away from the front of the stage! Collingwood has never seen such hysteria from the fans! But you wouldn't be able to say you had the time of your life, were it not for the countless hours of hard work invested into the organizing of festival by its board of directors, staff, portfolio chairs, professional services and numerous volunteers. In taking a look at the "behind the scenes" action, we found festival office manager, Rosemarie Garrity working happily - her phone attached to one ear talking to everyone and everybody needing information, her hands busy with forms, papers, computer keyboard and faxes in between. Then there were the ETAs she attended to who came in to her office asking questions, the venues wanting to know where the ETAs were supposed to be - trying to solve all the problems that come up and not having had more than 2 hours sleep a night from Tuesday thru Monday - yet Rose was happy! Rose loves Elvis. That's why she loves her work, that's why the ETAs love her and that's why fans love Collingwood! Her assistants on the 24hr scene (sharing living quarters for the week) hubby Ralph, little Diane Matthews (assistant festival manager and directory researcher) and volunteers Marion and (Gospel Elvis) Jim Anderson love her too and wouldn't let her down. And to Karen Cubbit, Marion Lewis and so many more on staff, God bless you all. It was terrific to see everyone combining their efforts to make this years event yet another success. I was particularly touched to see you all "salute" Rosemarie by bringing her up to the stage Sunday night and presenting her with flowers. We had all shed tears for this wonderful woman and that moment proved Collingwood has the grace to acknowledge her with respect. We do love ya Rosie! This year we really wanted to mingle with the people who came out to take part in the "Collingwood Experience," so I borrowed a van, packed up LLM's photographer Doug McCready (who still spent time catching a few candids when not with me) and off we went trying to see everything and everyone - well, as many as possible that is. We had a ball! The ETAs were all fabulous, the fans were fantastic and we met so many old and new friends. We talked and took pictures and that's what you'll see on the next pages. I’d like to thank our photographer Doug McCready for the great pics on my pages, as well as his patience - and my friends, don’t forget to take a look at Carol Hunter’s wonderful pages on Collingwood, filled with photos she took herself! Enjoy yourselves folks, take a look and see if you're there, and thanks for being an Elvis fan! See you next year, Joanna!

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Linda & Dean Verticchio from Hamilton, ON at Casey’s with Dean Vegas

Headliner Shawn Klush receiving a beautiful yellow lei from a fan

Headliner Ryan Pelton

Relaxing outside Montana’s after the big show, all telling LLM photographer Doug McCready not to take the pic - guess who won? L-R, Joanna, impresario Dan Lentino and Shawn Klush.