' 50s event set to rock

People from across the region will rock the afternoon away in one of Black Diamond’s most popular summer events on July 26.

Marv Garriott, owner of Marv’s Classic Soda Shop, is bringing the ’50s to Town with a serenading Elvis, swirling poodle skirts, vintage cars and bottled soda pop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of his favourite decade.

This year marks the eighth Garriott has hosted Marv’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic.

“We were very lucky to grow up in the happiest time of the century, maybe several centuries,” he said.

“The war was over. There was still lots of innocence left in the world, a lot of mystique, a lot of things to discover.”

Similar to past years, entertainment will feature an Elvis impersonator and Calgary ’50s cover band Marty Antonini and the Bee Bops on stage behind Marv’s Classic Soda Shop. New this year is a group of Okotoks zumba dancers who will twirl around the stage wearing poodle skirts.

Spectators can also enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers by the stage.

Dozens of vintage cars will line First Street West throughout the morning and afternoon.

Garriott said he’s already received a lot of interest from car clubs and expects this year’s numbers to surpass last year.

“Last year I expected around 60 cars because of the flood the year before when most of the guys from High River lost all their cars,” he said. “As it turned out we had over 135 and we ran out of places to park. I’ve got a little bit more area closed off this year.”

Garriott said there’s already a lot of buzz around the ’50s-inspired event.

“I know talking to the car show guys they like the music, they like the town, they get to talk to people and brag up their cars,” she said. “It’s casual and fun.”

Garriott is getting local organizations and businesses on board again this year to draw visitors into the various shops.

“You’d look down the street and there was nothing so why would you go there? I’d tell people to get something on the street and give them a reason to walk down there.”

Garriott said he’s already heard back from merchants planning to have sidewalk sales and other activities to attract people, and a few who helped to contribute to the cost of this year’s entertainment.

“If I can get the Elvis paid for and move him over to the main street I hope to get people off the side street and onto the main street,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to do. It’s getting known as a really good community event.”

Pharmasave is among those businesses hopping on board this year, featuring a sidewalk sale, face painting and temporary tattoos for young children.

“We want to get the sidewalk looking active and busy so the town seems to be buzzing and we can get people stopping when they go by so it looks like a bigger event, which is good for the town and good for Marv’s,” said Sulee Savage, Pharmasave’s front store manager.

“We are going to do our best to make it seem like it’s a special day and try to get people to stop and take part.”

Savage said this is the first year Pharmsave joined Marv’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic with some activities of its own.

“I think it will help the town,” she said. “More people will want to come because there are more activities.”

Kicking off the day is a pancake breakfast organized by the Foothills Lions Club beside Sandal’s Pharmacy from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

To learn more about Marv’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic go to marvsclassicsodashop.com http://www.marvsclassicsodashop.com/