‘The Big E’ comes to Clayton

The 15th annual Big E Festival & Elvis Tribute Artists Competition has partnered with the Rabun County Library for their summer reading program, Libraries Rock!

Stephanie Howard, Rabun County Library Director told WRBN/WGHC News, “there’s nothing quite like it!”

“We went to Joni Mabe of the Loudermilk Boarding House Museum and asked her about our theme, we wanted to do something Elvis for ‘Libraries Rock!’ our summer reading program,” Howard said. “In talking with her, she was wanting a bigger venue for the Big E Festival. We suggested that we have the Civic Center right here at the library. So that kind of got the ball rolling and we ended up moving the Big E Festival to Clayton for its 15th year.”

Elvis Tribute Artists from around the country gather to compete for the title of Big E Champion. Master of ceremonies, Robby Dean Scott, Spirit of the King, will Emcee the Elvis Tribute Artists Competition with his own special blend of Polk Salad and promises a “hip-gyrating good time.”

Howard said the Friends of the Library will be selling concessions. All of the funds generated from their sales will go directly to benefit the library.

She also mentioned there will be two winning categories: overall champion and “People’s Choice.”

“There will be the winners for the competition on Saturday, but there is also a ‘People’s Choice’,” Howard explained. “A lot of these Elvis Tribute Artists, not impersonators, they have their own fan bases. So People’s Choice is kind of a big deal too.”

Howard said there will be a separate table at the Civic Center where individuals may cast their People’s Choice vote for $1. All of the proceeds raised will benefit local PAWS 4 Life Animal Shelter.

“The overall champion will win $1000 from Springer Mountain Farms. Second place will receive $500 and the third $250,” she said.

World Champion David Lee along with 2017 Big E Champion Damon Hendrix and Greg Crick, the Voice of Conway, will rock the house on Friday night August 3. The show starts at 7 p.m and doors open at 6 p.m.

The ETA Competition will be held Saturday, August 4 with doors opening at noon and the show starting at 1 p.m.

Howard said tickets are $20 per day and are available at the Rabun County Public Library or the day of the event(s) at the Civic Center located at 201 W Savannah St in Clayton.