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.