WESTLOCK– Songs from the King will be floating through the air in Westlock as the annual Blue Suede Music Festival returns July 25 to 27 at the Westlock & District Agricultural Society grounds.
What began in 2009 as a small, house-party-style tribute to Elvis Presley has grown into one of the region’s favourite rock‑and‑roll celebrations. Festival founder Trudy Taphorn invited dozens of friends and neighbours to enjoy classic tunes while supporting local food banks—a humble start that has since swelled into a community‑wide summer tradition.
Festival activities begin Friday, July 25, with RVs moving in starting at 10 a.m. and beer gardens opening at 3 p.m. A performer meet-and-greet will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., giving fans a chance to meet the tribute artists before they take the stage throughout the weekend. Special VIP guests are also expected to be in attendance. The evening wraps up with a welcome party and open mic karaoke running from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday brings a full slate of entertainment. Gates open for vehicles at 8 a.m., and the seating area opens at 9 a.m. The first performances begin at 10 a.m., and the beer garden opens an hour later. The day will include trivia contests, an Elvis silent auction, a live auction, and plenty of photo opportunities with the performers. Breaks between tribute sets will allow guests time to explore vendor booths and merchandise tables on the grounds. The day caps off with an 8 p.m. headlining concert featuring The Flashback Band, a high-energy nine-piece ensemble backing the Elvis tribute performances.
Sunday’s festivities start at 9 a.m. when the seating area opens. The New Covenant Quartet takes the stage at 10 a.m. and again at approximately 1:30 p.m., with Elvis tribute performances scheduled between and after those sets. The weekend wraps up with an after-party at 6 p.m., with tickets available at the beer gardens throughout the event.
New to the 2025 performer lineup is Jonathan “Johnny Elvis” Hicks of Langley, B.C., who began his tribute act at age 17 and has since earned recognition including the “Heart of the King” award in 2023 and a second-place finish in the 2024 Pro Division at the Penticton Elvis Festival. Joining him are fellow tribute artists James Gibb of Ontario, John Carpenter of Quebec, and 21-year-old Angel Saucedo of Los Angeles, each bringing award-winning credentials and personal flair to their portrayals of Elvis.
With its combination of music, nostalgia, and small-town charm, the Blue Suede Music Festival offers fans of all ages a chance to relive the golden era of rock and roll while celebrating the King.
