Swap meet rock

Having actually grown the long side-burns characteristic of the

king himself, 44-year-old Mark Curran has incorporated his love for

Elvis Presley into his everyday life. The former Web site designer

began his Elvis impersonation days when he attended a costume party

two years ago. He has since turned his love for performing as the

entertainer into a full-time career.

“It’s a lifestyle and each artist brings something different to

his performance,” said Curran who had just finished a performance at

the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa Sunday. “He was one of

the greatest entertainers of all time. He had such a far reach and

was such a dynamic performer.”

Judging by the appearance of the crowd that attended the third

annual Endless Summer Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and

Elvis Fest at

the marketplace, many others would agree.

Although the event was geared toward Elvis fans, car lovers and

swap meet shoppers were also given plenty of entertainment as well.

With a 26-contestant karaoke contest, raffles, a number of different

vendors and a classic car show consisting of about 100 cars, the

all-day event gave the paying public plenty of good rockin’.

“Most car shows you just walk around and look at the cars,” said

Garden Grove resident Ron Jobes, who enters his 82 silver beige

Corvette in the car show every year. “With this one you have

entertainment.”

And for Jobes, who has been an Elvis fan since he was 9-years-old,

there is no entertainer that comes close to him.

“His music, if you ever listen to it, it not only fits his life

but it fits my life too,” he said in an effort to provide an

explanation for Elvis’ continued appeal since his death on Aug. 16,

1977. “There’s no one who can sing like Elvis.”

While Jobes may not think there is anyone who can sing like him,

there are many people who try. And many did Sunday.

“Their hearts are in the right place,” said Christine Dashner,

president of the Jailhouse Rockers fan club, an official Elvis

Presley fan club based in Orange County. “They’re paying tribute to

the best entertainer this world has ever seen.”

The club, which has been a part of the event every year, donates

the money raised from raffle sales, Elvis memorabilia sales and the

entrance fee to a variety of charities, the primary one being the

Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center in Memphis, Tenn.

“It’s really a great event,” said Dashner. “We get to put our name

out there and there’s so many people that love cars that are Elvis

fans.”

However, not all of the people that attended the event were

die-hard Elvis fans. Some of them just loved classic cars and the

Elvis music was a nice bonus.

“So far the quality of the cars here have just been spectacular,”

said R.C. Peak who traveled with his family from San Diego County to

see the car show. While not the biggest Elvis fan, Peak did enjoy the

Elvis-themed entertainment.

“Well, I do have all his greatest hits albums,” he admitted.

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.