8 Sep 2022
KING-SIZED PROGRAM ANNOUNCED FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY PARKES ELVIS FESTIVAL
Celebrating 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’, Parkes Elvis Festival has announced their bumper anniversary program of events, jam-packed with concerts, parades, markets, competitions…. and even skydiving!
Returning from Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 January 2023, Parkes Elvis Festival will see over 25,000 people make the annual pilgrimage to Central NSW for the biggest tribute to The King in the Southern Hemisphere.
The spectacular 2023 program features hundreds Elvis and Blue Hawaii themed events, including returning favorites Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony, Festival markets and a stellar line up of entertainment on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage.
Tickets to all events are on sale now, including the Feature Concert Series. This year, the Feature Concert Series will see Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists, entertain crowds across each day of the Festival.
The beating heart of the Festival, Cooke Park, will once again play host to incredible free live shows with U.S. Elvis Tribute Artist Alexander Mitchell headlining on Thursday. Catch Damian Mullin, Dean Vegas and Mark Andrew on the Friday night; and on Saturday night, Jack Gatto celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation of the concert.
Ross Wilson, founder and frontman of the long-standing rock groups Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock will be inducted to the Wall of Fame. The Eagle Rock-ing music legend will perform a special concert on the opening day of the Festival to kick-start the five days of festivities.
The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns in 2023, with leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club. Officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, the winner will represent Parkes in the Semi-Final round of the 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during Elvis Week in August.
Starting as a small get together between like-minded Elvis fans in 1993, the Festival has grown today into an internationally renowned phenomenon, recognised as one of the top events in Australia and attracting fans from all over the globe.
Festival Director Tiffany Steel, whose parents Bob and Anne founded the Festival, said this year’s program will be bigger and better than ever to celebrate the Festival's 30th birthday. “The 2023 Festival is such a special milestone for us. Over the last 30 years, we have grown into a world-renowned event that’s attended by tens of thousands of people each year. We plan celebrating the longevity and popularity of the Festival in 2023 with a program that’s fit for The King.”
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the Parkes Elvis Festival was an event that visitors can’t help falling in love with each year.
“The Parkes Elvis Festival is one of Australia’s most iconic events, bringing thousands of people from around Australia as well as internationally to the Parkes region,” Mr Franklin said.
“It offers an unbeatable mix of music, costumes and entertainment, combined with country hospitality. I encourage Elvis lovers to dust off their blue suede shoes and secure tickets before they sell out.”
To celebrate the 30th anniversary and get hearts pumping, the Festival have introduced a slew of new events. ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci will be performing Elvis' hits from 1956- 69, showcasing his early years and film.
For the more adventurous Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing and a new stretch and strengthen class to the ballads of Elvis. Thrill seeking fans of The King, decked out in their finest Elvis costume will rain down from the heavens with a new skydiving event by Sydney Skydivers also added to the Festival line up.
This year’s Festival theme is Blue Hawaii, dedicated to Elvis’ 1961 musical hit. As usual, Festival attendees will spend the next few months planning their themed outfits. Expect to see Parkes transform into a tropical paradise with a sea of Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts taking over the regional town.
For the best way to arrive in style for the Festival you can’t go past the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express train services. Each year, hundreds of travelers in bejeweled jumpsuits and poodle skirts converge on Sydney’s Central Station for a morning of live entertainment before hopping aboard trains where they are serenaded by Elvis Tribute Artists all the way to Parkes. You can also fly to the Festival on the Regional Express Hound Dog Express where you can enjoy drinks and Elvis style entertainment in the REX Lounge at Sydney Airport.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said since 2004, NSW TrainLink has been supporting the festival with a specially branded XPT for the return journey to and from the iconic festival in the state’s central west.
'Don’t walk the line', catch the Elvis Express and get ‘all shook up’ with tribute artists rock n rolling all the way from Central station to Parkes next January.”
“The NSW government is proud to support the 30th annual Parkes Elvis Festival, a multi-award winning event which is a significant tourism drawcard major boost to the central west economy.”
Tickets to all Parkes Elvis Festival shows, across the many venues in the city, are available to purchase online now at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au.
EVENT NAME: Parkes Elvis Festival
DATES: 4-8 January 2023
THEME: Blue Hawaii
WEBSITE: www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au
LOCATION: Parkes, NSW, Australia
EDITORS NOTES
Parkes Elvis Festival
Parkes Elvis Festival is held annually in the second week of January in Parkes, New South Wales, coinciding with the birthday of Elvis Presley. Parkes has a population of 12,000 and is located 365 kilometres west of Sydney. In January 2019 over 27,000 visitors attended the Festival, more than doubling Parkes’ population.
The Festival began in January 1993 as a small birthday party at Gracelands Restaurant. It was so much fun they decided to do it again - and again! Over the following 10 years additional events were added and it became a two-day Festival. With the vision and effort of the voluntary organising committee as well as the support of Parkes Shire Council, the Festival exploded in popularity and word quickly spread across Australia of the fun and unique event in regional NSW.
Following its tremendous success, in 2014 the Festival transitioned management to Parkes Shire Council under a Section 355 Festival Committee. The Festival now regularly attracts visitors from all around Australia and stages more than 200 events annually. In January 2015, Parkes Elvis Festival was officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., the trustees of the estate of Elvis Presley. Official endorsement elevates Parkes Elvis Festival to the ranks of premiere Elvis tribute festivals in the world.
Parkes Elvis Festival is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.