50s style, music & cars were on display in Timmins for an anniversary celebration

The ‘king of rock ‘n roll’ made an appearance in Timmins, Ont. this weekend – actually three of them did.

Local Elvis impersonators got people dancing in the city’s downtown core, at an event hosted by a 50s-style dairy bar.

The Pine Diary Bar is celebrated its 50th anniversary in retro style – with the spirit of the hillbilly cat himself seemingly bringing the area to life.

The shop’s owner told CTV News he saw it as a chance to bring people together for some toe-tapping levity and a blast from the past.

“It’s been a long time, we didn’t see something like this downtown and Pine Dairy Bar is a landmark and it’s for – that’s my team inside the store too,” said owner Danny Pelletier.

“I think it’s pretty good for the community to come see something different.”

Elvis, elvis and elvis got the crowd all shook up with some classic hits, while vintage rides were on display.

“Our opportunity to do our best Elvis,” said impersonator Gord King.

“And have fun and, sort of, bring some life to the downtown.”

CTV News asked another impersonator what it was like to bring so much joy to the downtown.

Patrick Ouellette said, in his best Elvis voice, “well, uh, you know – it’s, uh, bubblicious propaganda, baby.”

The three ‘jailhouse rockers’ are dedicated performers – one being a karaoke connoisseur and the other two are members of the Take Two Theatre troupe.

The troupe was also looking to raise money at the event.

“It helps us pay the rent, it helps us finance our shows, which are coming up,” said troupe board member Nate Elliott.

“We are about to open up auditions for Cinderella – an all-ages production of Cinderella that’ll be going on this winter.”

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While the city’s downtown has struggled with safety concerns recently, Pelletier said he is taking the King’s saying “when things go wrong, don’t go with them” to heat.

He said he wanted to show people that there’s still room to bop, rock and rollick around, like Elvis would have wanted.

Petellier said he plans to make this an annual event.

“I think the next time, we’ll try to do the Beatles,” he said.