'Elvis Lives' venue changes

June 30, 2005

Organizers of "Elvis Lives In Hagerstown" say that planning is under way for the fourth annual event, to be held Sept. 10. The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek is the new venue for the event.

The festival will include performances by four top Elvis Presley tribute artists. Proceeds support the development of the planned Barbara Ingram School for the Performing Arts.

The committee planning the annual event formed a charitable nonprofit.

"We formed a 501(c)3 for the ability to collect and distribute donations more efficiently," event co-chair Linda Irvin-Craig said. "This fourth annual event builds on the excitement gained in past festivals, and we're pleased to again raise funds for the planned downtown school for performing arts."

"We're excited about being able to move the event indoors," event co-chairman Jay Frantz said. "The Clarion Hotel has been great to work with. We won't have any weather challenges, as was a concern in past years. The show will be a lot like a Vegas-style Elvis concert. Several Elvis fan clubs are aware of this festival, and the chamber office and CVB are handling pre-event ticket sales. We look forward to announcing ticket sales soon."

"All indications are that this year's festival will be bigger than ever," Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Tom Riford said. "As the mid-Atlantic's premier Elvis Tribute music festival, we are raising funds for a wonderful artistic program for the community."

Event organizers are in final contract negotiations with the best Elvis tribute artists in the United States.

Riford said that several companies and organizations are sponsoring the annual family event, and more are being sought.

"The City of Hagerstown, the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Education, the Clarion Hotel and the Convention and Visitors Bureau want this fourth annual Elvis Lives festival to be even more successful than ever before," Riford said.

Riford said that there is a renewed interest in the life of "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" because of the recent "Elvis" TV biographical miniseries. Riford said that using the Clarion for the indoor concert helped the organization save money.

"As a nonprofit, the organizers for the music festival have been very pleased at the willingness of the Clarion to step forward and help plan for a successful event," Riford said.

The City of Hagerstown, Washington County Public Schools, the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are helping to "produce" the fourth annual Elvis Lives in Hagerstown. Special promotions are planned during the event, including the sale of the official T-shirt, official poster and more.

"As a fun community event, benefiting the new Barbara Ingram School for Performing Arts, this has become a 'must do' for music lovers," Elvis Lives committee member Donna Long said.

Saturday's tickets are expected to sell for $25 for VIP seating and $15 for general admission. Las Vegas-style seating will be set up in the Clarion's ballroom.

The "Meet The Guys" party will be Sept. 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets for that event are expected to be $15 at the door and $12 in advance.

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