Contrary to what MTV would have most people believe, there is more to South Wales than valley louts hoping to 'make it big in Caaar-diff' and sheep. What MTV omitted from The Valleys (probably due to a lack of vulgarity) was the gem that is Porthcawl's annual Elvis Festival aka The Elvies.
I have no idea why or how this festival came to be but it's a pretty big deal when it rolls around each year. The festival claims to be the largest of its kind in the world and attracts quite a crowd. According to the BBC, this year's event broke the world record for the biggest gathering of Elvis impersonators (800, in case you were wondering). The festival takes place over a long weekend every Autumn and spans various Porthcawl venues. Elvis tribute acts perform, people get dressed up as Elvis and generally have a good time. At the end of it a 'Best Elvis Impersonator' award is given out and the sequin jumpsuits and stick-on sideburns are stored away for another year.Never one to miss out on a photo opportunity as golden as this, I went along with my sister to see what the Portcawl Elvis Festival was really all about.
