Westlocks Blue Suede Music Festival Returns for 17th Year, Combines Elvis Tribute with Community Charity

July 24‑26, 2026 will see Westlock’s Blue Suede Music Festival back on the Westlock and District Agricultural Society grounds, marking the event’s 17th consecutive year. The three‑day showcase has evolved from a modest 2009 gathering into a regional attraction that routinely draws more than 2,000 people.

The festival is a dedicated homage to Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, and features a roster of North American tribute artists. Scheduled performers include Corny Rempel, Vic De Sousa, Paul Ellis, Jonathan Hicks, and special guests Andrew Martin and the Kings4 Quartet. Each act will perform eleven songs, and, according to founder Trudy Taphorn, the artists donate their time while the organizers cover travel and accommodation costs.

Andrew Martin, who began performing in 2000, has earned multiple awards for his vocal work and also serves as a vocal producer for tribute shows to Presley, Cher, Tina Turner and Neil Diamond. Taphorn described Martin’s performance as emotionally powerful. The Kings4 Quartet, based in Nashville, Tennessee, brings gospel influences to the stage, emphasizing the historical roots of Presley’s music.

Taphorn’s journey began on her own acreage in 2009, when a small gathering of friends attracted about 100 attendees—an unexpected turnout that surprised her. “I didn’t know where they came from or who a lot of them were, but word spread quickly for some reason,” she recalled. Over the next decade the festival moved to the Busby Sports Grounds, and for the past five years it has been held at the current Agricultural Society site.

A distinctive feature of the Blue Suede Music Festival is its mandatory food‑bank donation. Attendees must contribute either cash or non‑perishable food items in addition to the ticket price. Proceeds and donations go to the Westlock Food Bank and the Morinville Food Bank. To date, the festival has raised more than $55,000 and collected over 13,000 pounds of food.

Taphorn’s interest in Presley was sparked by Rick Johnsen, an Elvis impersonator who invited her to the Penticton Elvis Festival. The experience broadened her view of Presley as a person, not just a music myth, and inspired her to create a community event that celebrates his legacy.

Tickets for the 2026 festival are available online at bluesuedemusicfestival.com. The event will run from noon on July 24 to evening on July 26, featuring performances, food‑bank collection points, and a community gathering area.

While larger festivals such as the one in Penticton, British Columbia, attract national crowds, Westlock’s event distinguishes itself through its charitable model and its focus on community participation. The Blue Suede Music Festival is one of several regional tribute events that honor Presley’s influence.

As the festival prepares for its 17th year, organizers emphasize the continued growth of the event and its ongoing contribution to local food‑bank charities. The next steps include finalizing the lineup, confirming venue logistics, and maintaining the mandatory donation policy for all attendees.

Beyond music, the festival provides a platform for community engagement and charitable giving while preserving the cultural memory of one of America’s most iconic performers.