Video: ‘Blue Team’ Helps Elvis Fest Run Smoothly

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  The annual Elvis Fest is underway in Tupelo and thousands of fans from around the nation and the world are enjoying the festivities.
But Elvis Fest wouldn’t be the same without volunteers known as “The Blue Team.” WCBI’s Allie Martin has more.

While Elvis Tribute Artists are competing on stage, Elvis Fest volunteers are making sure contestants are lined up in proper order.

At the same time, volunteers are selling souvenirs in the lobby of the Bancorpsouth Arena.

Rachel Ethridge is part of the “Blue Team” They are identified by the Blue shirts they wear and these are the volunteers who help make Elvis Fest run smoothly. Sometimes they are called on to herd Elvis Tribute Artists.

“It’s where you have more than one Elvi and they are kind of like ferral cats and they are all over the place and you say, come on, let’s go, let’s go, it’s a lot of fun, and they’re good listeners,” Ethridge said.

Diane Powell is also at the merch table. Like other blue team members, she began volunteering at Elvis Fest years ago and sees it as a way to give back, while making friends with fellow Elvis fans.

“I see a couple that comes every year from Niagara Falls. The first year they came in, she was looking for a beauty shop and so I hooked her up with my beauty shop and she went and got her hair done that day and I see them every year since,” Powell said.

Most of the blue team members have regular jobs, they volunteer in their spare time and on the big weekend. But at least one takes an entire week of vacation from work to volunteer at Elvis fest.

“We started on Monday morning,” Gerald Powell said. Hel helped set up the tents, fencing and banners at Fairpark. Powell and other blue team members say it’s hard work, with a purpose.

“Friday and Saturday night when you see the crowd, having fun, it makes it all worth it,” said Jare Sutton.

“What I enjoy is seeing people have a good time and that’s the satisfaction. If our patrons show up, have a good time, that makes our experience worthwhile,” said Russel Conerly.

“What’s not to like about it, it’s Elvis and you get a cool shirt,” Ethridge said.

Blue Team Members, along with other volunteers, usually log around 3,000 of hard work each Elvis Fest.

After Elvis Fest Wraps up Sunday, the Blue Team members will meet in about a month to start planning for next year.