Magic of Elvis lives on at O.C. festival

On stage, a man in gold-sequined coat and finely coiffed hair did an earnest rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love." Nearby, fans posed for photos with a 12-foot-tall Elvis on stilts, flanked by an equally tall Priscilla and, below, Mini Elvis – a little person in a white, high-collared jumpsuit and jet-black pompadour.
And in another tent at the Orange County Market Place, Darlene Tompkins, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in the movie "Blue Hawaii," struggled to answer a fan's question: What is the one word you would use to describe Elvis, and why?
"Elvis was so many things – kind and smart – that just about every word could be used to describe him," she said.
"But if I had to use one word," she said, pausing, "it would have to be: inspirational."
Thirty-five years after his death, the man known as Elvis the Pelvis and simply as The King is still clearly inspiring a lot of things, as witnessed Sunday at "The Magic of Elvis" festival at the Orange County Fair & Events Center.
The day inspired dozens of versions of Elvis songs, some performed bluegrass style, others with Hula dancers, and a karaoke contest with singers male and female, white and Latino, young and old – each with a lasting love for Elvis.
Jeff Abbitt, 54, of Irvine, who performs a comedy and magic act as "Abbitt the Average," dressed up in oversized metal sunglasses and an exaggerated black hairdo to look like The King.
A big part of his act is getting people to warm up to him and trust him as he performs his juggling and comedy routine. A little Elvis costuming goes a long way.
"When I put on this outfit, people immediately point and say, 'Hey there's Elvis.' It kind of puts them at ease," Abbitt said.
Judy Ri Chard, 72, a Realtor from Las Vegas and president of the All Shook Up in Vegas fan club, came to enjoy the festivities and sell some of her vast collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia. Among the items: A Young Elvis collector's plate ($25), a Russell Stover collection of Old Elvis chocolates ($5) and an autographed photo of Presley during his stint in the U.S. Army ($10).
"There is just such a spirit about Elvis that still lives today," she said. "Many of us never got a chance to meet him, but we can feel that spirit.
"You feel it in these hundreds of people who dress like him and keep singing his songs," she added. "There are millions of people who still want to be like Elvis – but they won't be. He was one of a kind."