Collingwood 2006 in Pictures - LadyLuckMusic.com

Where Everybody Is A Star!

Do you remember the excitement of going off to camp when you were younger? Even though you had to say goodbye to your dog, school friends and family - even though Mom had packed your bag with more clothes than you'd ever need, or that you might be forced to eat beans and franks for days and maybe Mom forgot to pack the cookies.....you couldn't wait to go and meet up with your fellow campers and catch up.

Well friends, you and your buddies were making happy memories that would last a lifetime. That's the feeling tens of thousands of Elvis fans get when they meet up in Collingwood! It's become the home away from home for Elvis fans - a comfort zone - a place where we can share the memories we have of Elvis. But certainly, don't think this a somber event! Heck no! It's four fun filled days of what seems non-stop Elvis Entertainment at its best, all in one place, at the Worlds Largest Elvis Festival, in the town of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

Everyone comes to celebrate the life, music and times of Elvis Presley and as far as we're concerned, the greatest entertainer of the 20th century. Store fronts are decorated with Elvis memorabilia and lots of goodies inside, vendors fill the side streets with Elvis merchandise, there's food galore at the kiosks and restaurants, ice-cream trucks and beverage carts and this years Collingwood sponsor, Sirius Satellite Radio, piped "All Elvis, All The Time" music throughout the streets! The huge street party, the live music of the official Collingwood band "The Casino Brothers", the numerous ETAs, the many venues with the many shows, the parade, the contest, the thousands and thousands of people from all over the globe!

The 12th annual, ever growing event, had to be the hottest season ever, yet saw the largest crowd ever. We were all so verrrry hot, no one was 100%, but everyone gave their 100% - from the entertainers to the fans who came out to support them, to the umpteen volunteers who who helped the organizers. I spend a lot of time "behind the scenes" each year in Collingwood and take note of many things, but in particular, I’ve had the opportunity to notice a woman who perhaps gets a max of two hours sleep per night over a four day period. The phone doesn't stop, problems have to be solved and there always seems to be action where no one needs it. This gal fixes it all. Her staff and co-workers are loving people and I'm sure the board members appreciate the work that they all do. However, I'd like to give my personal kudos to this wonderful lady, just to let her know how special she is. Rosemarie O'Brien, these ETAs love you. Thanks for allowing everyone to be a "STAR" and thanks for being a true friend - You are a true Elvis Fan, God bless you.

My hat's off to this years fantastic headliners, Shawn, Roy, Ray, Gino, Dean, Anthony, David Lee - all of you - performers and contestants, and congratulations to the winners. I love all of you boys, you're the greatest and I respect the respect that you continue to pay Elvis. I caught most of the shows, indoor and out and enjoyed every second of it! I also enjoyed meeting some of you for the first time and do hope LLM can bring you closer together in spirit and in song.

For those who have never had the pleasure of going to camp as a kid, or taking vacations where you made new "summer" friends, you've got to come to Collingwood to get a taste of what you missed out on. You'll be hooked, you'll be happy, but you may get a bit sad at the same time - 'cause just like any special time shared with kindred spirits, it is so very hard to say good-bye. Adios until next year, Elvisly yours, Joanna

Now here's something extra special we've got for you. As you enjoy the pics taken by LLM photographer Doug McCready, you'll notice that not all have been captioned with names. Some are marked "Unknown" and they are all numbered. If you can name all the "Unknown" ETAs or personalities, send it in to elvis@ladyluckmusic.com and you can win one of 20 copies of Nashville ETA Freddy B's original song "That Flame's Still Burning", which was written as a tribute to Elvis' musicians.