First Annual New England Elvis Festival Slated For Sept. 4-6 in Manchester, NH

First Annual New England Elvis Festival Slated For Sept. 4-6 in Manchester, NH

Three-Day Event to Feature Professional Competition, Vegas-Style Show and Array of Elvis-Related Activities

MANCHESTER, N.H., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been more than 32 years since Elvis graced the stage at the Civic Center in Augusta, ME, but his spirit will make a triumphant return to New England when the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH plays host to the first annual New England Elvis Festival, Sept. 4-6, 2009.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090406/NY94900 )

Modeled after the highly successful Lake George Elvis Festival held in New York's picturesque Adirondack Mountains, the three-day event will feature 20 of the world's most seasoned Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) vying for the champion's crown and more than $3,500 in prize money.

"For the past few years we've been looking to transplant our festival to a larger, more cosmopolitan stage," said Jason Sherry, president of Adirondack Promotions, LLC, whose company has overseen the Lake George event since its inception in 2005. "Our inaugural event in this market will feature the country's finest tribute artists performing some of Elvis' most beloved songs."

To date, professional ETAs from all corners of the country and as far a field as England and Australia have been invited to appear. Those taking part will perform 15-minute sets on both Friday and Saturday and will have their results from both nights tabulated to determine the overall winner.

"The competition we've put together will work out great for the fans," said Tribute Artist Advisor Terry Collins, noting that all performers have experience playing at major venues in Las Vegas or Memphis. "The level of talent we've assembled will capture our fans' hearts and give them a memorable show all weekend long."

Besides the centerpiece ETA competition, fans will also be able to pick up tickets for Saturday night's "Aloha from New England" show, which runs from 8-10:30 p.m. The performance features 2007's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition winner, Shawn Klush, recreating Elvis' famous "Aloha from Hawaii" concert. The show will open with Pete Paquette doing a tribute to Elvis' early years and both Paquette and Klush will be backed by the Change of Habit Tribute Band with the unforgettable Ronnie Craig serving as the master of ceremonies.

"I've seen hundreds of ETAs perform across the country, but there's only one person who makes me sit still for 90 minutes with my mouth open in amazement and that's Shawn," remarked Collins. "He's the complete package. He has the vocals, appearance, stage presence and overall performance. And that's why he won Elvis Presley Enterprises' first Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition two years ago."

Other on-site highlights on tap throughout the weekend include an extensive Elvis memorabilia and souvenir sale, a free Sunday morning Gospel Concert and After Hours events.

For those interested in obtaining a seat for Saturday's "Aloha from New England" show and a pass to all the other festival activities, packages range from $65-115. Tickets for only Saturday's "Aloha from New England" start at $35. Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m.

Overnight accommodations are available at the Radisson Hotel Manchester, NH, where all events will take place. A special rate of $99 per night is being offered to festival attendees and can be booked by calling (603) 206-4109 and mentioning the New England Elvis Festival, or by referencing PAC CODE: ELVIS09 when booking online at www.radisson.com/manchesternh.

For more information, a complete schedule of events and to purchase your tickets, visit www.NewEnglandElvisFestival.com, or call (518) 681-7452.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com . EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market(R) under the ticker symbol CKXE.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090406/NY94900
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: New England Elvis Festival

CONTACT: Edward Parham, Director of Public Relations, Rueckert
Advertising and Public Relations, LLC, +1-518-446-1091

Web Site: http://www.newenglandelvisfestival.com/

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