He's baaaaaack! Elvis festival returns to Lexington

Apr. 18—LEXINGTON — The third annual NC Tribute to The King, a three-day festival of all things Elvis, will return to Lexington next weekend, with activities scheduled April 26-28.

The weekend will include daily performances by five nationally known Elvis tribute artists, along with more than a dozen up-and-coming performers competing for a spot in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, which will take place in August in Memphis during Elvis Week.

Elvis Presley and Lexington have a history. He performed a sold-out show in Lexington in 1956 — just as his career was taking off — and the city couldn't help falling in love with him.

"He actually performed at our YMCA and stayed in uptown Lexington, so we do have roots with Elvis here," says tourism director Morgan Brinkle, who organizes the celebration. "It's really fun to bring that back to life each year. Elvis is still very much alive, and he comes in all forms and ages."

Early festivities begin Thursday evening with a Lexington-style barbecue luau dinner for all-access pass holders. Themed after the Elvis movie "Blue Hawaii," the event allows fans to meet and greet the headliners before they transform into Elvises for the weekend.

The first round of competition will be held Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center.

Friday evening will feature the first of three shows starring all five Elvis headliners: Dwight Icenhower, Taylor Rodriquez, Travis Powell, Nick Perkins and Jordan Poole. Combined, they have won more than a dozen national titles, and Icenhower is a five-time world champion Elvis tribute artist. The show is themed "The King's #1 Hits" and takes place at 7 p.m. at the civic center.

Saturday's schedule mirrors the day before, with the second round of competition taking place at 11 a.m. at the civic center, and headliners performing at 7 that night, also at the civic center.

The show, "Remembering the King," will take fans on a journey with Elvis through the decades.

Sunday's headliner performance is "The King's Gospel Celebration" at 1 p.m., followed by the final round of North Carolina's only sanctioned Elvis tribute competition.

In addition to advancing to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, the winner will receive $2,000. A king will also be crowned in the 16-and-younger competition.

—The third annual NC Tribute to The King will be held April 26-28 in Lexington, with shows taking place at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center, 217 S. Main St. —For the complete schedule and ticket information, call 336-236-4218 or visit www.NCTributeToTheKing.com.