The Parkes Elvis Festival in autumn will be a very different experience for local fans who take part every year.
We have been ‘All Shook Up’ by COVID-19, but the good news for Elvis fans is that the 2022 Parkes Elvis Festival is movin’ on to 20-24 April.
The annual major event was scheduled to take place from 5-9 January 2022, but the Festival team have been monitoring the situation with the safety and well-being of the community, artists, fans, staff and businesses first and foremost. The current risk, regulations, lockdowns and border restrictions have forced the organisers to make the decision to delay now rather than continue with planning for January surrounded by such uncertainty.
“We had the community’s health and safety at the forefront when making the decision to delay,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.
“This extra time will help to ensure that vaccination rates are high, and life is returning to post-covid normality.”
Festival Director, Cathy Treasure said: “We are determined to make 2022 a memorable Parkes Elvis Festival for all to enjoy safely. Naturally the entire Festival family is disappointed that we can’t go ahead with our traditional January date. However, rest assured we are working behind the scenes to deliver an incredible April event to celebrate in true Parkes fashion and continue the tradition of delivering a highly successful one-of-a-kind Festival.”
Accommodation providers in the Parkes and Forbes Shires have given the assurance that January 2022 bookings will be carried over to the new dates in April or alternatively to the 2023 festival.
“There is no need to rush and make contact now as accommodation providers have reserved the April dates for existing bookings. If fans are unable to come in April they should contact their accommodation providers to make alternate arrangements,” said Cathy.
Parkes Chamber of Commerce President Geoff Rice said the Chamber and business community supported the change of date and looked forward to welcoming fans to Parkes in Autumn.
“After such a long period of time in lock-downs, we feel Christmas and New Year will be a time best left for loved ones to reunite, and hopefully plan a trip to visit our town with confidence for the Festival in April 2022”.
The ticket launch date will be moved to 15 November in line with the new Festival dates.
“The new date is prior to the Anzac Day long weekend to give visitors another reason to stay longer and enjoy what the region has to offer,” the Mayor said.
The 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival will return to the usual date in January to celebrate its 30th anniversary from 4-8 January.
Start your engines and speed your way to the 2022 Parkes Festival in April next year where Elvis’ 1968 musi-cal film, Speedway will be celebrated. The costumes are fun. Think go-go dancing girls, overalls, racing suits, cars, red, white and blue – there are so many options to dress in theme! (Photo montage: Parkes Elvis Festival website)