PORTAGE | Elvis Presley is making a comeback in the city, and he's bringing a cavalcade of friends with him.

The music of the King of Rock 'n Roll, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, James Brown, Tom Jones and Elton John will be featured in a concert to open the upcoming 16th annual Elvis FANtasy Fest on Friday through Sunday at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road.

"We always attract people from all over the country, but we added the Legends Show in hopes of attracting local residents to this year's event," said Kay Lipps, a long-time organizer of the festival.

Friday night also will feature a pig roast, Elvis game and sock hop.

While the weekend is geared to be a full emersion of everything Elvis for the true fan to the curious, it also benefits several causes.

Since its inception the festival has raised some $170,000 for Porter County Special Olympians. The Special Olympians and families are volunteers throughout the weekend. They'll also judge Saturday's car show and the three-day event will wrap up Sunday afternoon with special recognition in the annual March of the Special Olympians.

The theme for this year's festival, Lipps said, is Elvis' '68 Comeback Special. Special guests will be DJ Fontana, Elvis' first drummer; Patti Parry, a friend and only female member of the Memphis Mafia, and Sandi Miller, a devoted fan turned friend. All three attended the special concert viewed by millions as a television special and paved the way for his opening at the Las Vegas Hilton.

"We are really excited. We're celebrating one of the greatest moments of Elvis' career, and we have three people who were there with us," Lipps said.

Lipps said it will be a weekend of music and celebration.

In addition to the Friday night concert, more than 20 Elvis tribute artists, from as nearby as Valparaiso and Hobart to as far as Toronto, will compete in the annual Elvis impersonator contest Saturday and Sunday for a prize of $2,000.

Returning Elvis tribute artists Irv Cass, Leo Days, Dwight Icenhower, Ted Torres and Robert Washington also will perform in a Saturday night Showcase of Artists concert. These performers are all past champions of the Elvis FANtasy Fest tribute artist contest.