Maggi Barnard

Elvis Central held an official launch party on Sunday to coincide with The King’s’ birthday and to give local retailers the opportunity to do Elvis Shopping before the arrival of the crowds. “We felt it was fitting to host the official launch on January 8th to celebrate Elvis’ birthday – he would have turned 82 this year,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Tourism
Leader, Jaimee Timmins. Bob and Anne Steel, the co-founders of the Festival, did the official honours by cutting the Elvis themed cake.

Elvis Central is situated at 203 Clarinda Street, in the heart of the Festival Boulevard. “This year’s festival is expecting to exceed last year’s visitation numbers, so we wanted to give our local retailers a chance to do all their Elvis shopping without having to grapple with the crowds,” said Jaimee. Elvis Central is the official outlet for Festival merchandise and souvenirs, with proceeds going directly to the Festival allowing it to grow and improve each year.

Festival visitors can purchase the official 25th anniversary souvenir program, calendar and DVD, must-have Elvis and Priscilla wigs and sunglasses, as well as a large selection of official Festival merchandise including T-shirts, hats, stubby holders, pens, fans, magnets and more. Elvis Central is open until seven tonight, 8:30am to 7pm tomorrow, 8:30am to 5pm on Sunday and 9am to 3pm on Monday.

Digby George “Dig” Richards will be posthumously honoured at the Elvis Wall of Fame at the Kelly Reserve in Parkes next Wednesday in one of the first events of the 25th Elvis Festival. Dig will join 22 other Australian music legends on the Wall of Fame. The ceremony at 2pm will be followed by The Wall of Fame Show in honour of Dig at the Parkes Services Club at 4pm.

Fellow Wall of Famers Rob E.G., Little Pattie and Lucky Starr will perform, as well as Dig’s brother Doug Richards, who played with Rob E.G. and Lucky Starr and lives in Parkes these days. “I am looking forward to the show,” said Lucky Starr. “It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with Rob E.G. and Doug.” He said Dig was his best mate and his inclusion on the Wall of Fame has been long overdue. Dig was best known as lead singer of the R’Jays and their first single, I Wanna Love You, was written by Dig’s 15-year-old brother, Doug. The song peaked at no. 7 on radio station 2UE’s Top 40. The group’s second single, I’m Through, also penned by Doug, reached the Top 40 shortly after.

Dig became one of Australia’s first wave of Rock ‘n Rollers, and one of the Top Five Australian Rock Superstars of the 1958/59 era with Johnny O’Keefe, Col Joye and Joynny Devlin. Dig, Rob E.G. (Robie Porter) and Johnny Devlin were billed together as The Rat Pack and became an institution on Saturdays in Sydney.

Welcome to all the visitors to Parkes Shire for the 2017 Elvis Festival. We are sure you will have a rocking good time in Parkes.
Pop on your blue suede shoes and take some time to explore the Parkes Shire and discover the colourful, fun and interesting attractions and landscapes that all add up to making your visit to our region a memorable one.
Take a stroll through the Parkes central business district (CBD) and soak up the vibrant character of the town through the Public Art Trail. The works by local artist Jac Clark reflect the character and spirit of Parkes.
Enjoy quality food and coffee at one of our fabulous cafes and restaurants and browse our unique boutiques and retail outlets where you can shop for your chance to win a trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000.
Take a trip to outer space with a visit to the iconic CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, discover history + culture at the Henry Parkes Centre (HPC), home to the King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit.
Have fun + adventure at one of the many recreation areas and parks including Goobang National Park, or dig up some local history at The Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine.
Experience country hospitality and meet some of the region’s friendly locals at the townships of Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate – all just a short drive from Parkes.
For more information and to plan your next adventure to the Parkes Shire, go to www.visitparkes.com.au and keep connected via the Visit Parkes Facebook and Instagram pages.

From next Wednesday Parkes will be all gold and glitter for the silver jubilee of the Elvis Festival. Businesses were hard at work this week to stake their gold claim for the biggest influx of visitors to town with more than 25,000 people expected to attend the Viva Las Vegas-themed festival boosting the local economy by as much as $15 million.
“We are just about ready,” said Kirsty Berry of Colouby Creations on Tuesday. “We have been selling costumes, wigs, glasses, handbags and anything else with Elvis’ face on it for the past six years. We are usually flat out for about ten days, but it is brilliant.”

Rosemary Mitchell, President of the Craft Corner, said they were much better prepared this year. “As we are so centrally located we get thousands of people looking for Elvis items. This year we will have plenty of stock including Elvis cushions, bracelets, watches and skirts to name a few.” She said all items were handmade by Craft Corner members. Owner of The Red Chandelier, Janine Simpson said: “I can’t wait for Elvis. It is so exciting and there is such a buzz and good mood in town during the festival that it makes us all feel alive. I had people dancing in my shop last year!” Janine, who experienced the festival for the first time last year as a business owner said it was excellent. She was looking forward to another good period of business.

By Maggi Barnard

With most of the Christmas lights and decorations packed away for another year, one business owner in town is still glowing with the result of her effort. Local boutique, The Red Chandelier won the Best Dressed Window Competition that was run as part of Parkes Shire Council’s Shop + Win promotion and main street illumination project.

Janine Simpson’s winter wonderland display sparkled enough to catch the judges’ eye as they looked for the best initiative to fit the ‘sparkly after dark’ criteria to help ignite the Parkes main street shopping precinct. “I was really gobsmacked to win,” said Janine. “It was really lovely to receive this kind of recognition 12 months after opening my business.” She received a $500 advertising prize package as part of next year’s Christmas shopping campaign.

Janine said her window displays often lead to lots of conversations with her customers. Council’s Economic and Business Development Manager, Anna Wyllie said the effort that local businesses had put into dressing their window displays had contributed to the overall atmosphere in the main street. “We are so pleased with how the main street has come alive with the illuminations and lights sparkling on buildings and the local business owners in the main street have certainly added their own element of sparkle to provide a great spectacle for locals and visitors to our town,” said Anna.

The Shop + Win promotion is still running with the chance of winning a trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000. This campaign runs until  the final day of the Parkes Elvis Festival.