Volunteers prepare for Ypsi PRIDE Day
May. 13, 2010 · 7:09 a.m.
Each year, residents in and around the city of Ypsilanti carry on a tradition started by a group of community members enrolled in a city leadership program, a sort...read more
Bicycles zoom as flowers bloom
Apr. 30, 2010 · 2:11 p.m.
The weather has turned, the trees are budding and the flowers are popping out of the ground; time for a cruise through town. But don’t be so quick to hop in the...read more
Sheriff Clayton visits Ypsilanti Township
Apr. 29, 2010 · 12:59 p.m.
About 50 Ypsilanti Township residents gave the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office their input about law enforcement in the community Tuesday evening.
The information...read more
Local photographer raising funds for Ypsi Project exhibit
Apr. 20, 2010 · 2:20 a.m.
Ypsilanti has many faces, and Erica Hampton wants to share a few of them with you.
Over the past year, Hampton created the The Ypsi Project, a series of portraits...read more
Savoy taking shape as live music venue
Apr. 17, 2010 · 2:38 p.m.
Ypsilanti's newest concert venue is preparing for its grand opening weekend April 23, more than a month after its soft opening March 13.
Formerly Club Divine,...read more
Photo by Christine Laughren
Elvis can be spotted throughout Ypsi this weekend. This cardboard cut-out sits in the window of Beezy's Cafe on Washington. The two-day festival begins tomorrow and continues through Saturday.
Festival kicks off Friday
Jul. 9, 2009 · 12:30 p.m.
Ypsilanti residents are getting ready to welcome ten men who will relive thousands of memories this weekend.
Men who wear their hair slicked back, have long side burns and snugly fit in rhinestone-encrusted leather jumpsuits will be here to entertain die-hard fans at the Michigan Elvis Fest.
The 10th anniversary, which will take place at Riverside Park in Depot Town Friday and Saturday, is a concert of Elvis tribute artists from all over the U.S. who come to Ypsilanti to pay homage to “The King.” This family fun event will feature a live band behind the performers, various vendors and loads of merchandise to purchase that’s all Elvis related.
Mary Decker, Director of Michigan Elvis Fest, travels to many tribute artists’ contests to ensure visitors quality performances.
“We pride ourselves on being choosy,” Decker said, "and we have a lot of the good ones.”
Some are so good in fact, they have been brought back due to popular demand. This year they will have a new tribute artist coming all the way from England. No matter who the artist is, they will be sure to deliver their best Elvis performance from any era in his career.
“We have some artists that only do young [performances], and some who can [act of scenes from his] movies,” Decker explains. “Some can do the whole gambit so you get a little bit of everything that way.”
On kick-off night, each artist will perform at least once, while Roy Orbison and a Sir Elton John tribute artists will perform in between set breaks. They also have Ricky Nelson and Tom Jones tribute artists as well what Decker hopes will bring more to the show.
“It’s a lot of fun even if you’re not a huge Elvis fan because it is a little of everybody there,” she said.
On Saturday night, visitors can enjoy a car show, a tent full of entertainment for children, gospel hour and also a candle light vigil, which Decker said she was taken aback by.
“It was very inspiring,” Decker explained. “I was surprised how quiet it a was, you could hear a pen drop.”
If you’re not interested in the extra curricular activities and just want to eat and drink while the music blares, they have plenty of goodies for you too.
Although you won’t be able to chow down of an Elvis' favorite like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, you will be able to eat Memphis-styled barbeque and gyros from various vendors from Ohio, New York and Tennessee, all which Decker hand-picked by traveling to other tribute artists contests.
To celebrate their tenth year, Decker said visitors would be eligible to win an array of door prizes and raffle drawings on both days of the event.
“We are giving away a prize for the first 250 people that come in at the door,” Decker explains.
They will also give away a flat-screen TV in a raffle drawing, with all proceeds going to Ypsilanti’s Meals on Wheels. They’re also providing parking at the park for $10 a car. Handicap parking is free on Michigan Ave.
Citizen Information
Friday's Elvis Fest will run from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday will run from noon to midnight
For more information on the Elvis Fest, visit mielvisfest.org
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