12th Annual Elvis Festival featuring "Elvis in Hollywood" August 21, 2011

Though Elvis Presley aspired to be an actor and starred in 33 feature films, it was his songs that his fans loved the most and set the tone in his movies.

It will also set the tone for the “Elvis in Hollywood” theme planned for the 12th Annual Elvis Festival, which returns Sunday, August 21 at the Orange County Market Place, the weekend swap meet at the O.C. Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

The Festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in conjunction with the swap meet, is the main event as the Market Place reopens following the conclusion of the Orange County Fair.

The Festival, which pays tribute to Elvis Presley near the date of his death anniversary: August 16, 1977, traditionally follows Elvis Week in Graceland, TN, which this year runs from August 10 - 16 honoring his life and music.

Seven tribute artists will perform the songs from his movies. Kirk Wall, King impersonator from Fullerton returning for the 12th year as the official Elvis Festival, will perform several movie song medleys, accompanied by the Laguna Hills Hawaiian dance troupe Halau Hula Lani Ola during Blue Hawaii and Rock a Hula numbers

In addition to Wall, other tribute artists and the movie soundtrack they will be singing from include 17 year old Joe Banuelos, “Jailhouse Rock“; John Reade, “Blue Hawaii“; Steve Williamson, “Viva Las Vegas“; Dave Hoover,“GI Blues”; Danny Jacobson, “Loving You”; and George Thomas, “King Creole.”

Other Elvis crooners will be competing in the Crème de la King Elvis Karaoke Contest starting at 11 a.m. in which four finalists will be selected to compete at KaraokeFest 2011, the largest event of its kind in the world, held at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona,

Tribute artists and karaoke contestants will come together for a group sing as well as an audience sing along to some of Presley’s hit songs.

The most unusual of Elvis impersonators is likely to be Mr. Potato Head as Elvis Presley in the ‘68 Comeback Special Edition” which makes its Official West Coast Launch Event at the Festival. Collectors and Elvis fans will have the opportunity to buy the newest Mr. Potato Head character, clad in a leather jacket ensemble and holding a microphone, made available by PPW Toys and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Last year the same company introduced its first Mr. Potato Head Elvis clad in a jumpsuit.

Other entertainment and activities include stilt walking Elvis and Priscilla Presley with giant coifed hairdos, Abbit the Average Elvis performing comedy and magic, classic car display featuring the Cadillac Kings of Orange County, an Elvis Trivia Bee, the Jailhouse Rockers of California Fan Club, offering membership information and selling memorabilia and souvenirs .

A selection of gourmet food trucks will be featuring special menu items in honor of the “king” including a Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, one of Presley’s favorites, from Spudrunners.

A complete schedule of events for the day is available at www.ocmarketplace.com

Official Website: http://www.ocmarketplace.com