Elvis lives on

The second annual Los Fresnos Music Festival was close to croaking Saturday afternoon after rain pounded its patrons and performers for a solid 25 minutes.

"There was a setback - nature," said Don Badeau, the president of the Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce.

But the Elvises rose again.

The annual festival has morphed from a celebration of the "King" into this year's rollicking celebration of a variety of music and a classic car show at the town's Rodeo Grounds.

"I like (this event) because it makes people happy," said Simon Vega, who in past years hosted the event at his Little Graceland museum in Los Fresnos. "Elvis wanted everyone to be happy."

Vega served with Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960 in Freiburg, Germany.

This year, Vega invited impersonators of Janis Joplin, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and Cher to perform at Little Graceland on Saturday and Sunday morning before the Elvises took the stage at the Rodeo Grounds in the afternoon.

"When you perform as Janis, people don't let you sit down," said Gina Copeland, who wore a psychedelic blouse and peace sign earrings. "I become her."

Behind the stadium's bleachers at the Rodeo Grounds, over 100 classic car owners lined up their beauties side by side.

"You meet some of the nicest people you'll ever meet at car shows," said Curt Huff, who brought his forest green Plymouth Road Runner from Indianapolis to the car show.

His point was well taken: Alongside Huff's car was Roy Villarreal's nearly identical Road Runner. Villarreal, a Donna resident, and Huff met at a classic car show and have been friends ever since.

"These cars bring back a lot of memories for us older people," Huff said. "It's hard to watch what's happening to the American car companies."

Many of the festival's visitors planned to come back on Sunday with the hope that the skies clear up.

"It's been great even with the rain," said Dallas Meade, who was selling tickets to hundreds of Elvis lovers.