star cult
Festival attracts Elvis fans to Bad Nauheim again
Two visitors to the Elvis Festival walk across the outdoor area. photo
© Boris Roessler/dpa
Quiffs, petticoats and vintage cars: Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was a soldier in Germany from October 1958 to March 1960 and lived in Bad Nauheim during this time. The city remembers.
Elvis as an arm tattoo, Elvis as a hood ornament, Elvis forever: fans of the rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley celebrated the “King” in Bad Nauheim. At the 21st edition of the “European Elvis Festival” numerous visitors with Elvis quiffs, petticoats or vintage cars flocked to the town of Wetterau on Saturday. At midday, the shiny polished nostalgic cars, which also toured the streets, caused a great deal of enthusiasm.
At the three-day festival, which officially started on Friday, visitors can immerse themselves in the times of their idol – the 1950s to 1970s – with live music and a varied supporting program. The city estimates that the festival could attract up to 30,000 visitors over the entire weekend.
Lello Marino was one of the visitors on Saturday: The 71-year-old – dressed like Elvis with a quiff, eye-catching glasses and a colorful shirt – arrived in his vintage car from 1977. He is an Elvis fan from the very beginning and is now at the festival for the seventh time. Even as a teenager he was fascinated by the US musician. For the first time there is a group of four – the two women in dotted petticoat dresses, the men in Elvis look. The atmosphere is “great” and the vintage cars are “naturally sensational”.
Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was stationed as a soldier in neighboring Friedberg from October 1958 to March 1960 and lived in Bad Nauheim during this time. In the city, fans can still visit original locations and have their picture taken on a small pedestrian bridge with a life-size bronze statue of Elvis. An Elvis traffic light and bus stop as well as an artistically forged bench are also reminiscent of the world-famous guest.