Empire State Tribute Festival Expands Summer 2026 Lineup with Elvis Championship Weekend, Reimagined 1988 Comeback Special and Elton John Musical Experience

Three-day music event shines a spotlight on a world-class Elvis tribute competition alongside specialty productions celebrating legendary music icons and eras. End Quote

We want to offer a range of tributes and music that offer everything an Elvis purist would want as well as electric ideas that excite those who dream.

(1888PressRelease) June 05, 2026 - VERONA, New York - The 2026 Empire State Tribute Festival brings a wealth of live entertainment and tribute performances alongside championship-level competition this summer. Running from July 30 to August 2, the host Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona will transform into a bevy of Las Vegas-style showroom acts.

All Event Passholders will have access to five major concerts, as well as the Images of the King World Championship. These acts will broaden this year’s festival, elevating the experience for longtime fans and attracting new audiences eager to share in the music.

“Our festival is more of an immersive experience built around live music than a tribute,” says Festival Organizer Jason Sherry. “We blend world-class performers who are deeply passionate about the stage with storytelling and nostalgia. This will be an experience no one will forget.”

The Images of the King World Championships is an Elvis Tribute Artist Contest that serves as the festival’s centerpiece. It brings in the best Elvis tribute performances and puts them through multiple rounds of competitions and live concerts. This is a highly competitive and internationally regarded performance category that often launches many careers. Everything kicks off with the opening night concert “Welcome to My World” featuring concerts by champions Dwight Icenhower, Diogo Light, Robert Washington, Nick Perkins, Jordan Poole, Dan Fontaine and Irv Cass hosted by Dan Barrella and backed by the EAS Band.

One of the more anticipated concerts takes place on night two with the 1988 Comeback Special. This is a concert reimagining an alternate universe where Elvis retired in 1977 due to health concerns, but returned more than 10 years later, happier and ready to shake the stage. It is followed by an after-hours party in the Tuscarora Ball Room hosted by Dan Barrella.

“We want to offer a range of tributes and music that offer everything an Elvis purist would want, as well as electric ideas that excite those who dream of the King shaking his hips still,” continues Sherry. “The goal is a more dynamic entertainment event that feels engaging for the entire festival.”

As part of the five-concert series, organizers have designed a Follow the Yellow Brick Road musical tribute to Elton John. The production stars Dwight Icenhower as “Captain Fantastic,” tracing the decades-spanning career of this musical dynamo through a live concert featuring beloved songs and John’s signature stage presence.

With one ticket, guests will get themed concerts from renowned performers, late-night after-hours entertainment, fan events, specialty shows and music spanning the different stages of Elvis Presley’s career. Tickets are going fast, as the Empire State Tribute Festival always draws strong attendance from the United States and Canada.

Tickets start at just $35 and are on sale now for the multi-day event, running July 30 to August 2, hosted at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. The Empire State Tribute Festival is a leading part of the growing tribute entertainment industry, attracting multigenerational audiences to live music and reigniting a love for iconic performances. More information, including current ticket availability and full concert scheduling, can be found at TributeFestival.Rocks/EmpireState and tickets can also be purchased via phone at 1.888.406.5885.

About Empire State Tribute Festival - The Empire State Tribute Festival is one of North America’s premier tribute entertainment events. It brings together award-winning performances, tribute artists and fans for a multi-day celebration of legendary music. Growing out of the long-running Lake George Elvis Festival, the event is now a large-scale entertainment experience honoring some of the most iconic artists and musicians. Learn more at TributeFestival.Rocks/EmpireState. https://tributefestival.rocks/about-us/

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