MOVIE NIGHTS

Autumn is the perfect time to come and enjoy a free movie and a cuppa in the cozy library. We have two movies coming up: Today @ 6pm we are screening an award winning 2021 release. It’s a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama based in Ireland in the 1960s. Our second Cult Movie Night will feature a 1979 sci-fi horror classic that is not for the faint-hearted on Tuesday, 4th May @ 6pm. Bookings are essential, call 6861 2309 to book your seat.

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME

Storytime recommences on Tuesday, 3rd May at 10:30am and Rhyme Time on Wednesday, 5th May. Both are free, but bookings are required. A special storytime will be held for National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday, 25th May @ 11am

featuring Josh Pyke’s book Family Tree.

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE

The Marramarra Makerspace Studio programs recommence next week.

Mondays: Makerspace open hours 3pm-7pm, now with a weekly demo at 6pm – keep tabs on our Facebook page for topics.

Tuesdays: LEGO CLUB 4pm – 5pm for children in Years 5 – 8. Book by calling the Makerspace on 6862 9101.

Wednesdays: Makerspace open hours 3pm – 5:30pm. Coming Soon – Sewing classes 6 – 8:30pm.

Thursdays: Starting 12th May – Art classes with Karen Ritchie. Kids: 4 – 5:30pm, Adults: 6pm – 8:30pm. To exprpmess your interest or find out more call the Makerspace on 6862 9101 or email makerspace@parkes.nsw.gov.au

WASTE 2 ART

The annual Waste 2 Art Community Art Competition is now open for entries. This competition is open to aspiring and professional artists to create artworks from materials that would normally be thrown away. 2022 is Year of Soft Plastic. Entries close Friday, 13th May. Artworks can be dropped into the Library & Cultural Centre between

23-27 May. Pick up entry forms from the Parkes Library.

After two years of slow living and ‘tracky dacs dress ups’ at home, the green flag is up and it is time to speed up the fun, friendly feel-good vibe that draws thousands to the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The King is back and from today Parkes will transform into a red, white and blue melting pot of go-go dancing girls, racing overalls and suits, spectacular racing cars, and of course the ubiquitous Elvis jumpsuit for this year’s Speedway theme.

The next five days are jam-packed with more than 400 Elvis and speedway inspired events. Apart from all the much-loved festival favourites like the Street Parade, Renewal of Vows, Gospel Service, Miss Priscilla Dinner, and free Cooke Park Main Stage Entertainment, a host of new and unique events will make the comeback festival an unforgettable one.

There is the Speedway Exhibit of rare and classic race cars and virtual reality simulators, a Pin-Up Pageant for rockabilly and vintage fashion lovers, a wild rock and roll play about Sun Records, Mark Anthony’s one-off special Speedway Show, a virtual Q&A appearance by Speedway child star Victoria Paige Meyerink, and Charles Stone, tour producer for the Elvis Presley Tours in the 1970s.

Taylor Rodriguez, the USA’s 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion, will make his Australian debut at the Feature Concert Series, and the list goes on and on for a festival where you can forget about the troubles and hardships of the past two years to rock ‘n roll to your heart’s content.

By Maggi Barnard

Save the date for the biggest weekend of the year in Parkes on Saturday, 11th June for the Parkes Picnic Races.

The annual meeting of the Parkes Coradgery and Diggers Amateur Race Club Inc on the long weekend in June has become a social highlight for locals and visitors.

Expectations are extremely high that this year’s event could be the biggest on record according to club secretary Mark Olson. “The shackles are off and the saddle is on and we are off and running for what will be a great day for picnic racing and as usual a fantastic community get together opportunity.”

President Tim Keith had a spring in his step announcing the major sponsor for 2022 will be Parkes Services Club. “What a wonderful long-term partnership we have,” he said.

The committee is putting a shout out to any locals who would like to volunteer their time on race day with help in all manner of jobs. For those interested in helping out, call into the Memphis Motor Inn or call Mark O’Neill on 0427 647 170 for further information.

Fashions on the field is going to be a smash again this year with effervescent judges Dixy Coulton and Elizabeth Pakchung given the unenviable job of judging the four categories of Best Dressed Couple, Elegant Lady, Stylish Man and Millinery.

Spots are limited for sponsored tents with all the usual suspects lining up again.

A live band will be on course for an afternoon of fabulous music with Foxxy Cleopatra.

There will be five races on during the afternoon with good prize money attracting capacity fields.

Hoofnote, the club is searching far and wide for an extra special celebrity guest so watch this space and above all else we will see you all on 11th June at the Parkes Picnic Races.

By Mark O’Neill

The Henry Parkes Museum has enlisted the help of members of the Aboriginal community in Parkes to display a collection of wooden artefacts.

The collection includes spears, boomerangs for hunting and fighting, a didgeridoo and two shields. All the items are from the Parkes area and have been in the museum’s archive according to President of the Parkes & District Historical Society Bruce Hall. Artist Irene Ridgeway and Ethan Hartley painted the mounting board, and Ronda Sharpe and Geoff Anderson helped them with the mounting of the items on the board.

The new exhibit is on display in the Aboriginal section of the museum.

Expect nothing short of guaranteed fun and a brilliant night out as you climb inside the BBC’s iconic Faulty Towers TV show and experience it from the inside out…

Yes, you can be part of the action right here in Parkes as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a plate alongside a 3-course meal and two hours of non-stop laughter. With over 70% of each performance improvised, it is completely immersive and a highly interactive comedy spectacular where anything can happen… and usually does!

It took Allison Hattenfels, Manager of Bushman’s Motor Inn, four years to get this top attraction of London’s theatre scene to come to Parkes. The good news is the show will run for two nights on Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th April.

“It is a very different and fun experience,” said Allison, who decided she wanted it to come to Parkes after she had seen in Young.

“Not only will it be a good night to catch up with friends and have a good laugh, but it will also help to keep the feel-good mood that the Elvis Festival bring to town last longer as it is three days after the end of the festival,” said Allison.

She says we all need humour in our lives after COVID, and the world’s most sought-after tribute to the iconic Faulty Towers is sure to deliver barrel loads of laughs in an irresistible blend of top-flight improvisation and tight theatrical script.

“The actors are extremely quick witted and react instantly to any quips made by audience members,” said Allison.

Be prepared to be pranked and expect the unexpected as chaos reigns right from the start with Basil, Sybil and Manuel. Book a table with friends by calling 6862 2199 or go to www.bushmansmotorinn.com.au

With Priscilla fever running high all over Australia and definitely in our town, it is time to start preparations for the Miss Priscilla competition at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival.

After the visit of Priscilla in Bendigo last weekend, the Miss Priscilla title should be sought after this year as women from all walks of life spend the day getting their hair and make-up done and dressed up to resemble Elvis’ one time love, Priscilla Presley. The winner of Miss Priscilla will become the Face of the Festival at the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner on Thursday, 21st April.

Being crowned Miss Priscilla brings instant fame as she will make special appearances at many of the festival’s wonderful events and will enjoy all the perks of being crowned Elvis’ leading lady for the weekend. There are also some great prizes to be won.

“We’re still accepting applications and encourage anyone who is keen to enter,” said Festival Director Tiffany Steel, who was fortunate to have met the real Priscilla

in Bendigo. “If you have long-dark hair and would like to enter and don’t know where to start get in touch with us”.

Jenny Goodsell of Goodsell Machinery, the sponsor of the competition, said: “We would love to see more entrants in the competitions from around the region.”

There are also two other competitions on the night: Hairstyles of the 60’s and Miss Speedway. Simply recreate the gorgeous 1960s hairstyles or have some fun with Speedway inspired novelty hairstyles. Miss Speedway gives blondes the opportunity to recreate the look of Nancy Sinatra from the movie Speedway.

The evening includes a two-course dinner and entertainment by leading Australian Elvis tribute artist Dean Vegas, local Parkes trio, Amitie and a Speedway inspired fashion parade by the NSW Pinup Pageant entrants.

To enter the competitions and to purchase tickets for the night go to www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au