Elvis Presley was just 20 years old when he hit the stage in Tampa on Sunday, July 31, 1955. It was not the first time the future pop idol had performed for a Tampa audience. Presley had appeared at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory once before, on May 8, 1955, as the closing act in country singer Hank Snow's All Star Jamboree tour.
The Elvis Festival began as a one-day event in 2003, three days in 2004/2005 to accommodate the Elvis Presley Fan Clubs throughout Florida. The Elvis Festival and it's components are approved and sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Funds raised benefit several charitable organizations including the Friends of Tampa Recreation, Inc., the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, and the Elvis Presley Foundation, Inc. In addition to supporting local charities.
The focus of the 2006 festival is that Elvis will be everywhere in Tampa. We plan to bring the Elvis Festival to people of all ages in different areas of the city to expose them to a unique piece of Tampa's heritage.
| Date | Time | Event |
| Monday, May 15 | 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | Nicko's Diner, 4603 N. Florida Ave. Dedication of the booth where Elvis sat to eat after one of his concerts in 1956. |
| Tuesday, May 16 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Lykes Gaslight Park, Downtown Performance by an Elvis Tribute Artist |
| Wednesday, May 17 | 10:00 a.m. | GaryElvis!!! on the Daytime Show WFLA-TV Channel 8 |
| Wednesday, May 17 | 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Centro Ybor, Ybor City Happy Hour Concert, performance by an Elvis Tribute Artist and Sing an Elvis Song Karaoke |
| Thursday, May 18 | 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Channelside Courtyard, Atrium Rockin' with the King, a fun-filled evening of Elvis GaryElvis!!! |
| Friday, May 19 | 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Lowry Park Bandshell The Friday Extra FREE Concert Series GaryElvis!!! Bus/Shuttle will be available from hotel; request when ordering tickets. |
| Saturday, May 20 | 6 a.m.-8 a.m. | GaryElvis!!! Taped session to air on News This Morning Saturday WTSP-TV Channel 10 |
| Saturday, May 20 | 12:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | Tampa Theatre The Elvis Festival Featuring performances by the area's best Elvis Tribute Artists, GaryElvis Britt with the TCB Band, plus Brent Howell and the Catillacs (tickets $15), car show, memorabilia vendors, food and fun for the whole family. GaryElvis!!! |
| Saturday, May 20 | 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. | Barksdale Center, 1801 N. Lincoln Ave The Sock Hop (cost -$15 per person) Enjoy some country cooking,dancing,and a performance by a Elvis Tribute Artists. Bus/Shuttle will be available from Hotel, request when ordering tickets. |
| Sunday, May 21 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Poolside, Courtyard by Marriott Hunka Hunka Burning Love (Vow renewal and Brunch) ($20.00/person) Includes group wedding vow renewal, one-hour concert featuring tribute artist Bill Akins, a flower for the bride, buffet brunch, and the Elvis Festival Wedding Vow Renewal Certificate. |
Hotel accommodations-- Courtyard by Marriott, located two blocks from the festival site at 102 E. Cass St., is the official hotel for the Elvis festival. For reservations, call 813-229-1100. Room rate for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday is $99.00 per room. Deadline for reservations is May 10th.
Weekend Ticket Pass--Save $25--includes free Elvis t-shirt and bag. Total for pass $40.00, instead of $50.00+. Ticket includes Sock Hop dinner/show, Tampa Theatre Saturday concert, wedding vow/brunch and Elvis t-shirt and bag. For tickets/pass, call City of Tampa Parks & Recreation, Brooke, 813-274-8714.
Be sure to reserve your Bus/Shuttle seats (leaving from the Hotel to Lowry Park and Sock Hop); request when ordering tickets.
Content date: January 7, 2007
Date Updated: January 7, 2007
Elvis® and Elvis Presley are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.