TIFTON — The King was alive on Aug. 16 — in the person of Jeff Vandenberg, an Elvis tribute artist who performed at the Elvis Tribute Festival in downtown Tifton.

The festival was hosted by the Tift Tap House and was held at the Tifton Gardens Stage on First Street Extension. The road was temporarily renamed in honor of Elvis by Tifton Mayor Julie Smith.

The festival was timed to take place on the 42nd anniversary of Elvis’ death in 1977. He was 42 at the time.

Vandenberg, who took the stage at 7 p.m. and performed many of Elvis Presley’s songs, has performed all over the world.

In between songs, Vandenberg told stories and shared facts about Elvis’s life, career and songs, as well as stories about his own past performances as The King.

Channeling Elvis, Vandenberg draped white scarves over shoulders and gave out stuffed hound dogs and teddy bears to attendees.

Main Street Coordinator Chandler Day said that she was pleased with the turn out for the event.

Day said that the event shows that the city is open to new, fun things to bring people downtown.