The Elvis Karaoke and Elvis Look-Alike Contests are shaping up to be two of the New Year's most fun-filled events, according to organizer Dr. Donna Gough.
Gough will host the contests Dec. 31 [MONDAY] as part of the first-ever First Night Ada New Year's Eve Extravaganza which will be held at East Central University.
Participants for both contests will be divided into three different age groups, children ages 6-12, teens 13-19 and adults 20 and older.
The Elvis Karaoke Contest will consist of participants singing from a provided selection of Elvis songs. Songs may be chosen from Elvis' Favorite Hits, Gospel and Christmas tunes. Participants in the Elvis Look-Alike Contest will vie for the best Elvis costume of the evening. Prizes will be given for the Elvis look-alike and sound-alike winners in each category with a few surprises thrown in.
Registration for both contests will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the bottom floor of the Memorial Student Union. The contests will wrap up around 9:30 p.m. so that everyone can head to Kerr Activities Center to watch the main stage show.
"I think that the contests will be fun for young and old alike," said Gough, ECU associate professor of communication. "Where else can you go to hang out with friends, participate in fun contests, see a Las Vegas-style show and watch a midnight fireworks display? I'm glad to be a part of First Night Ada."
The First Night festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. and keep rocking until after the post countdown fireworks show, Gough said.
First Night Ada started as a community-wide initiative to provide a safe, alcohol-free New Year celebration.
Kraig Parker, a nationally known Elvis impersonator, will perform Elvis' classic songs in flashy Elvis costumes, complete with a band and female singers, at 11 p.m. in Kerr Activities Center. Parker's high-energy show will end shortly before midnight, followed by a countdown to the New Year and one of Ada's biggest fireworks shows at Norris Stadium.
Admission buttons that will allow entry to all First Night performances are now on sale at a number of Ada businesses for $10. The price will increase to $15 on Dec. 31. Groups of five or more can purchase buttons for $8 each, and children age 5 and younger will be admitted free. The buttons, which were designed by ECU senior Corey Fetters, will not cover the cost of food or beverages that will be offered by six vendors around the campus.
# # #