Even after two decades, Mike Schell says the Penticton Elvis Festival keeps getting bigger and better every year.
The president of Western Canada's largest and longest-running tribute to the King of Rock N' Roll watched Saturday, June 29, as performers from across the globe took the stage at Okanagan Lake Park.
"It's been a great success this weekend," said Shell, who first got involved with the local festival 20 years ago, when he played the trumpet for one of the performing Elvis Presley tribute bands.
Schell said that on Friday, the event's first full day of performances, a record 1,500 people came out to enjoy the festivities. That's the most ever for an opening day after 22 years of the show coming to life.
A total of 24 professional tribute artists are competing in front of thousands of locals and tourists alike, both at Okanagan Lake Park and Penticton Trade Convention Centre, this weekend.
The winner of the annual contest, Schell says, will head to Memphis, Tenn. on Aug. 7, for the "Ultimate Elvis Finals."
"I'll be there to support our winner and represent Penticton," the president of the local event said, adding that the final performances kick off Sunday at 2 p.m., inside the convention centre.
This year's event is headlined by London, England's Ben Thompson, widely-regarded as one of the world's top Elvis tribute artists. He'll be at the convention centre on Saturday night, for a special performance.
Jerry Scheff, Elvis' former bass guitarist, is also in Penticton this weekend to take the stage and pay tribute to the King of Rock N' Roll.
"Everything here just keeps getting better and better," the festival's president said. "Just about all the events are sold out, with the headliner show on Saturday totally sold out."
Surrounded by dozens of fans while signing autographs, Thompson took the stage on Saturday afternoon at Okanagan Lake Park for one song, before gearing up for the night's headliner indoors.
"Everything here just keeps getting better and better," the festival's president said. "Just about all the events are sold out, with the headliner show on Saturday totally sold out."
Schell also praised the 14 directors and dozens of volunteers who help make the show a reality every year.
Tickets for the rest of the weekend can be found here.
