Collingwood Elvis Festival picks champion to go on to Graceland

A Guelph, Ont., man who has been an Elvis Presley tribute artist for 15 years will be going to Memphis, Tenn., to participate in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute contest.

Jay Zanier won $3,000 and a trip to Memphis after competing in the 13th annual Collingwood Elvis Festival.

Zanier was chosen Sunday by a panel of six judges after a weekend of Elvis tribute events in the Ontario resort town.

About 200 tribute artists, of all ages and backgrounds, were in Collingwood for the festival, which sold more than $200,000in advancetickets.

Zanier, born and raised in North York, Ont., has dedicated countless hours to studying the King's movies and taped concert performances.

He will be competing with Elvis tribute artists from across North America in the competition at the King's former Graceland home, sanctioned by the people who control Presley's estate.

Zanier said he can't wait to get there.

The contest, to mark the 30th anniversary of Presley's death, is scheduled for Aug. 11-19.