Major Elvis Festival Tenderly Turns 20

Get to Garden Grove for a mondo meeting of the pompadour'd crooners.

ROLLING UP IN A CADILLAC, one that seems to glitter and gleam in the midday sun? Not necessary. Making sure your jumpsuit has over a thousand rhinestones, at least, and that the belt buckle catches the light from the stage? This isn't mandatory. Finding the perfect pomade, in order to ensure that your pompadour has an especially unmovable swoop? It's fine if you don't. Of course, some attendees of the annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove do actually go the delightful distance in the wheels/jumpsuit/hair department, and other attendees are always a little dazzled and quite appreciative. But if you simply want to show up in some slacks or a sundress, and leave the jewel-encrusted sunglasses at home, that's a-ok, for there'll be plenty of...

DAZZLE IN THE HOUSE: Thank a talented line-up of Elvis Presley tribute artists for bringing all of the glamour and showmanship you expect and want at such an event, and bring it, they certainly do, through their perfectly honed performances, vocals, and audience interactions. The party, which'll take place on Main Street in the Orange County city on Aug. 25, will include a number of notable to-dos, such as a tribute to the famous "jam session" between Elvis and the Beatles, The Inspiration of Elvis set, bluegrass vibes, hula dance, the King of Cadillacs Car Show, an appearance by author Ken Sharp, who'll be signing a pair of Elvis-focused books, food trucks serving vittles inspired by The King, and lots more.

AND, YES, BEAUTIFUL MUSIC... and soulful song interpretation and stellar stagecraft are all at the heart of the heartfelt festival, which turns 20 in 2019. How many times has "Love Me Tender" or "Viva Las Vegas" or "Suspicious Minds" been enjoyed over the last two decades? Or the deeper cuts that fans always hope to hear? Surely an Elvis aficionado has been to every single festival. But you say this is your first one? Just know that the cool cars, the pompadours, the jumpsuits, and the joy'll be out in full force at this bash, one of the biggest of the West Coast-based Presley parties. Also joyful? Admission is free. So when you see the organizers, be sure to say "thank you, thank you very much."

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us