Big E Festival
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and noon Saturday, Nov. 12
Where: Main Street Event Facility, 501 S. Main St., Cornelia
Cost: $15-$20 Friday and $20-$25 Saturday
More info: 706-499-1370 or www.bigefest.com
The Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 271 Foreacre St., Cornelia
Cost: $10
More info: Loudermilk Boarding House Museum Facebook page
Elvis Presley fans may don their favorite costumes and wigs and celebrate the king of rock ’n’ roll with singing and dancing at the Big E (Elvis) Festival in Cornelia.
The 13th annual event will begin with doors opening at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and noon Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Main Street Event Facility at 501 S. Main St. in Cornelia.
Because the event has grown every year, this is the first year the festival will be at Main Street Event Facility,
“It’s like a big Elvis family, once you attend you always want to come back,” said Joni Mabe the Elvis Babe, director of the Loudermilk Boarding House and Everything Elvis Museum.
Friday’s show will feature several Elvis tribute artists including last year’s Big E Champion, Alex Swindle of Birmingham, Ala., who portrays a young Elvis. Demorest native Hendricks Coates will also show off his kingly moves.
Guests are encouraged to wear clothing from the 1950s and ’60s. Door prizes will be awarded, and snacks will be for sale.
General admission is $15 and front row seating costs $20 on Friday. The show starts at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, more than 10 Elvis tribute artists will compete for the Big E Champion title and $1,000. Robby Dean, the Spirit of the King, will act as master of ceremonies. The show will start at 1 p.m.
Mabe said fans of Elvis or those who enjoy music should come.
“It’s fun and there’s really good talent,” Mabe said of the family-friendly event. “We just all have a good time.”
Mabe expects about 350 to attend.
VIP front row and second row reserved seating for Saturday costs $25. Third row reserved seating is $20.
Tickets can be purchase by calling 706-499-1370.
Thirteen years ago, Mabe started inviting Elvis tribute artists to perform once a year in August for Elvis’ death week. She was unavailable at that time this year, so the festival was postponed until November.
When the shows are not in progress, fans may check out The Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum, which Mabe owns and operates. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 271 Foreacre St. in Cornelia. Admission is $10.
For more information visit www.bigefest.com.