Tupelo: Where even pets love Elvis

Bruno in Pet-Owner Look-a-like category

There's a buzz in Tupelo, Mississippi, every June, and it owns a distinct Elvis vibe. The first weekend in June means Elvis Festival time, with live concerts, an Elvis Tribute Artist competition and a pet parade and pageant.

Yes, even the pets love Elvis in Tupelo.

The annual event raises money for the Dilworth Small Animal Hospital in town and winners walk away with a cash prize, trophy and gift bag.

This year's Elvis Pet Parade and Pageant was hosted by Memphis Jones, a regional celebrity that kept the audience in stitches and the event concluded with a performance by Elvis Tribute Artist Brandon Bennett, the 2008 winner of the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" contest.

But the stars were the pets and those the animals had on a lease. Carolyn Smith and her dog, Bruno, at right, were dressed in khakis to represent Elvis' army years — not to mention she has two children in the navy. "Thank you for your service," Jones said to Bruno as he paraded across the stage.

One adorable girl and her dog wore Hawaiian attire to represent Elvis in his film, "Blue Hawaii." There was a miniature Doberman wearing bell bottoms, tiny dogs with velvet guitars and sideburns attached and one dog who wore sunglasses without minding, pausing on the stage as if to pose, which brought the house down. He took away the Elvis lookalike category.

Here are a few of the photos:

Best Elvis lookalike category winner

Best Costume Winner

Bruno

 

Most Unusual winner - this boy brought a stuffed turtle.

Best in Show winner. 

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a travel and food writer from South Louisiana who appreciates the weird and wild side of life. Write to her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

The King reigns in north Georgia

Alex Swindle

The 13th Big E Fest (that’s Elvis in case you’re confused) & ETA (Elvis Tribute Artists) Competition will be Nov. 11 and 12 along Main Street in Cornelia, Georgia. In other words, it’s a celebration of males who like to dress up as the King.

The fun begins Friday when Demorest native Hendricks Coates warms the stage for Big E  Champion Alex Swindle from Birmingham, Ala. Door prizes will be distributed, snacks will be available and participants are encouraged to come dressed in 1950s or 1960s attire. General admission is $15 with front row seats at $20. The show starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 12, the Elvis Tribute Artists Competition begins at 1 p.m., where 12 artists will compete for the Big E Champion title plus $1,000, courtesy of Springer Mountain Farms. Participants (those watching the crazy people in Elvis attire) can enjoy some of Elvis’ favorite foods including the newly created Elvis S'more made with peanut butter, bananas, marshmallows, Graham crackers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Robby Dean the Spirit of the King will act as master of ceremonies and, according to the press release we received, will entertain with his famous rendition of “Polk Salad Annie.” Doors open at noon, tickets available at (706) 499-1370. We’ve been told the last two years sold out, so get your tickets now.

For more information, visit www.bigefest.com.

While you're in town, be sure and visit the Loudermilk Boarding House and Everything Elvis Museum. Built in 1908, the historic home houses 30,000 Elvis items, the largest collection of Elvis memorabilia in the world and listed in the Guinness' World Book of Records. Some of it's just plain weird, like the Elvis wart — yes, we said wart, preserved in formaldehyde — and the "Maybe Elvis Toenail." You can read more about Loudermilk at the blog, Roadside America. 

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. She is also the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.