FESTIVAL OF SENIORS 1 – 12 FEB

If you’re 60+ here is a festival just for you! 

Who we were in 1975: Drop in a photo of yourself in 1975 to go on our photo wall.

Author Talk with Margaret Dwyer: 3rd February 6pm-7:30pm, bookings essential.

Library Lock-In: A night filled with music, fun and friends. Friday 10th February from 6pm-9pm, bookings essential.

Throwback Tuesdays & Thursdays: Retro music playlist from 12pm throughout the festival.

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME RECOMMENCE

Storytime recommences on Tuesday, 7th February at 10:30am.

Rhyme Time recommences on Thursday, 9th February at 10:30am.

BE CONNECTED AND SURVIVE IN A DIGITAL WORLD 

Want to build your confidence in the digital world? This four week course for seniors will cover the basics of using your device, building confidence on the internet, staying safe online and avoiding scams, installing and using government apps, and much more. This course commences Friday, 10th February with limited places so call us to book in. 

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN FEB

4 Feb Beginner AUSLAN: Free classes every second Saturday morning from 10am- 11am. Contact Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101 to register your interest. 

7 Feb Parkes Multicultural Art Group: 10am – 11.30am, free. Contact Sonia Tilly on soniatilley@outlook.com.au or on 0400 990 001.

Visit or call the library on 6861 2309 to register your interest in the following workshops:

11 Feb Cricut Workshops: With Shannon from Orange Cricut Group, cost $80pp. Beginners 9am-12pm, Intermediate 1pm-4pm

17 Feb Parkes Games Group: Second last Friday of each month from 6pm-9pm, free.

20 Feb Seniors Card Short Story Competition Workshop: With Fellowship of Australian Writers, Ages 60+, 10am-12pm, free.

28 Feb Dried Flower Arranging: Lockdown Lucy’s, 6pm-8pm, cost $110pp.

Clear your schedule for this evening Friday, 3rd February! Whatever you had planned, scrap it and head down to The Coachman Hotel Motel in Parkes for the Eugowra Auction and Fundraiser Night organised by Michael Dumesny. 

Michael has co-ordinated donations of some hot items that will be sure to start a bidding frenzy and raise much needed funds for flood ravaged town of Eugowra. 

Some of the items on offer include NRL and Cricket Australia signed memorabilia, a five night stay in Parkes at The Memphis Motel for the Parkes Elvis Festival in 2024, a money can’t buy experience with the Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club and an accommodation package included, courtesy of the Managers of The Coachman Hotel Motel. 

Funds have already started rolling in with tickets for the monster raffle selling fast. Michael has received a lot of positive feedback surrounding this event and he is expecting a huge turnout and a great atmosphere for all those that attend.

Don’t forget to show your support on the night by “wearing something Eugowra.” This may be a Eugowra Bowls shirt, footy guernsey or something black and gold, which are the colors of the local Eugowra Rugby League team.

It is sure to be a great night out for the entire family, with lucky door prizes, a raffle and play equipment for the kids. The crowd will also be entertained on the night with live music by Greg Hush. Grab a meal, have a few drinks and enjoy the auction.

The auction will begin at 7.30pm sharp, please arrive early.

Ross Wilson is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer best known for one of the great Australian songs of our time, Eagle Rock. In his early years he was front man for Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock and later went on to produce albums by Skyhooks. Ross is this year’s inductee on the Wall of Fame.

How do you feel about being honoured on the Wall of Fame at the Parkes Elvis Festival? The Parkes Elvis Festival is a big deal, known worldwide, so to be honoured and connected with Elvis in that way does mean something to me. I’d like to thank the people responsible for recognising me and my own achievements.

What can fans expect to hear at your concert in Parkes, and will you be jamming with the Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Joe Camilleri? This is a very special get together – Brian, Russell, Joe and me are all about the same vintage. We are good buddies and I love everything about those guys and the incredible list of songs they have written and had hits with. Got a few of my own to add to the mix too. There’ll definitely be some interaction between us and I expect a few laughs as well.

Have you performed with any of them before? Must be our time to flourish – I did a show with Joe and Brian back in November on Cup Eve, and then two weeks later a double bill with Russell on the Rock The Boat cruise. We’re all good rockin’ daddies, unstoppable.

Has Elvis played a role in your musical journey? Elvis is still The Man. No one else looked or sounded like him. The Sun Sessions album is still a touchstone for me. I was a kid in the 50s and a teen in the 60s and Elvis was everywhere. He made great records and I was a fan. I went and saw King Creole at the movies, awesome. So, yeah, definitely an influence.

Do you ever perform Elvis songs? I have recorded a couple of Elvis songs. A live version of Hound Dog but mine is in a minor key (I got that from Junior Wells’ and Buddy Guy’s version) and the lyrics are closer to the original by Big Mama Thornton, much raunchier; Elvis cleaned it up. And there’s Heartbreak Hotel on my acoustic album Tributary – what a great song, such dark lyrics. I bet at Heartbreak Hotel they have Unhappy Hour with really expensive drinks and lots of tissues on hand.

Why do you think Elvis has such an enduring legacy after all these years? He was/is one-of-a-kind and had an extraordinary output of terrific music and the legend of Elvis also has those tragic elements that add pathos to his story. He died so young and, in my opinion, was taken advantage of, and that must have weighed on him very heavily in his later years.

Do you think the Parkes Elvis Festival plays an important role in the music landscape in Australia? I’m about to find out for myself first hand – so I’ll get back to you on that. But I’m pretty sure that those hundreds of Elvii and thousands of fans converging on Parkes can’t be wrong. I’m really looking forward being part of the festival!

Parkes Elvis Festival is incredibly proud to present Charles Stone, tour producer for Elvis throughout the 1970’s and Sam Thompson, Elvis’ personal bodyguard and friend to talk with Festival fans.

Charles Stone had the rare opportunity to be closely associated with both Elvis Presley and his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Charles flew with Elvis and his associates on Elvis’ personal plane, The Lisa Marie, from city to city each time Elvis went on tour. Being in the unique position of traveling with Elvis and managing the personal details of each tour, Charles experienced daily life in Elvis’ world and also developed a close working relationship and close friendship with Colonel Parker and the entire TCB gang. Charles was a special guest at the 2022 Festival, and has been invited back to share his stories to fans.

Sam Thompson was introduced to Elvis Presley in 1972 by his sister, Linda Thompson. An officer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department at the time, Elvis and Sam became fast friends and in July 1973, Elvis purchased a home for Sam near Graceland. Sam provided security for Elvis and travelled with Elvis on the road tours from 1973 until 1976 as Elvis’ friend and companion. In June 1976, Sam went to work full time for Elvis, as his personal bodyguard and tour advance man, providing security for Elvis on all the road tours, including hotel and airport security. Altogether, Sam witnessed, from a very personal perspective, essentially all of the concert and recording performances by Elvis Presley during the last five years of Elvis’ life. 

The Festival is fortunate to have Charles and Sam joining in person for a special Q&A where they will share their stories first-hand. 

Facilitated by Mark Andrew this will be an event not to miss. 

Q&A from 8am – 9am Friday at the Parkes Services Club. Tickets are $10 on parkeselvisfestival.com.au. Breakfast is available from 7.30am.

Plus, appearances at the Movies & Memorabilia Collection from 11am – 12pm Thursday and 11am – 12pm Sunday.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Parkes Elvis Festival is proud to launch the Movies & Memorabilia Collection which will have props from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie, and elements from the Elvis – Direct from Graceland exhibition in Bendigo plus history of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Take a nostalgic stroll down the 30-year historical path of the Parkes Elvis Festival. See memorabilia from the early days, photographs, newspaper clippings and some items from the Parkes Elvis Festival archives that have never been on display.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bendigo Art Gallery, Parkes is now home to an impressive recreation of the Graceland Mansion’s portico and giant ELVIS letters that were a part of the jumpsuit display.

You’ll also see the world’s largest hound dog and doghouse, mirrors from the Carnival scenes where Colonel Tom Parker pledged his commitment to supporting Elvis’ fledging career, a recreation of the Graceland ‘Jungle Room’, and posters and paraphernalia from the International Casino’s launch of Elvis’ residency from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film thanks to Warner Bros.

The Movies & Memorabilia collection is located at 375 Clarinda Street and is open 9am – 5pm daily throughout the Festival and free.

Proudly sponsored by Bogan Gate Pub. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Find your own patch of ‘Blue Hawaii’ in Forbes this January, as Forbes Shire Council partners up with Parkes as a sponsor of the well-renowned Elvis Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. 

“We have some amazing entertainment lined up for a fun filled weekend of Blue Hawaii inspired events,” Mayor Miller said. 

Forbes will host its own little slice of paradise as festival goers are invited to share in a tropical breakfast in Templar Street on Friday, 6 January and an evening Lakeside Luau on Saturday, 7 January. 

The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast has become a favourite community celebration for Elvis-goers staying in Forbes during the festival. Start your day the right way – with a good feed, funky entertainment and maybe even a bit of a jive! It all happens in Templar Street, right in the heart of the CBD from 7-10am. Come say Aloha! 

Council thanks NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional Communities for grant funding towards the staging of the Amazing Forbes street breakfast. 

It’s ‘Almost Always True’ – you ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ with the Lakeside Luau on Saturday night 6-10pm. An indulgent Hawaiian feast on the banks of Lake Forbes with live music that will make you want to shimmy! This year, Amazing Forbes is bringing all the Hawaiian vibes, where you’ll be transported to a tropical oasis and be thoroughly entertained. 

The Hawaiian themed feast, catered for by Eat Your Greens, will be held on its own ‘Island of Love’, the lovely foreshores of Lake Forbes and will star entertainment from Georgia Sideris, Dance Like a Diva, Johnny Angel as Pacific Elvis coming over especially from New Zealand for the ‘Lu- Wow’ and the epic Australian Beach Boys Show. Tickets are $90 and are essential, available to purchase through 123Tix.com.au. 

“Forbes Shire Council is proud to once again be a travel partner for the Parkes Elvis Festival, providing daily bus services between Forbes and Parkes,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said. Explore the Festival and surrounds by bus with daily service between Parkes and Forbes. Bus tickets are also available via 123Tix and are $10 each or $35 unlimited. 

The small seed of celebrating The King’s music was planted 30 years ago in the most unlikely of places and has turned Parkes into a model for how rural regions can re-invent themselves. 

On paper it sounds more like torture that people would be willing to wear uncomfortable polyester jumpsuits in serious summer heat of over 40 degrees at times to celebrate an artist who has never visited Australia, let alone Parkes, and who died 45 years ago. 

The Parkes Elvis Festival has a uniquely Australian flavour with the focus on fun with Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith taking the lead usually sporting a sky-blue jumpsuit, aviator sunglasses and pompadour wig. It is the sense of playfulness that makes people come back for more every year. 

The fun element has even spilled over to the sporting field where a regular fixture, a rugby game featuring teams of Elvis look-alikes all wearing copies of his trademark white jumpsuit, draw a huge crowd every year. 

For some the annual event has been life changing as one of the town’s most ardent fans formerly known as Steven Lennox, legally changed his name to Elvis. He had also built up a collection of thousands of pieces of Elvis memorabilia. 

After 30 years there are not only tonnes of stories about the feel good festival, but it has also invigorated Parkes as loyal, repeat visitors help to bring a community together for a well-organised, slightly weird but very friendly event to kick-start the year in a fun way.