A record-breaking 25,000 fans came from all over the world to celebrate 25 years of the Parkes Elvis Festival last week.
The many highlights of the five days of non-stop entertainment and events include a personal message of congratulations from Priscilla Presley read out at the special anniversary gala dinner.
The town throbbed with the sounds of Elvis’ songs and the heatwave’s cicadas competing for audio dominance, while in the streets the tsunami of rhinestoned jump- suits, feathered showgirls, casino paraphernalia, hot rods, vintage cars and neon lights grew instantly with the arrival of 400 fans on the Elvis Express with more creative ver- sions of the theme from the 1964 Viva Las Vegas film.
“In the 25 years since it began, Parkes Elvis Festival has grown to become a bucket list event for many people in Australia and around the world. We’ve had an incredible five days of hip-swiveling action and turned Central West NSW into its own version of Las Vegas,” said Festival Director Cathy Treasure.
The Elvis-themed tsunami was bursting with colour and fun as it washed down Clarinda street on Saturday morning to the delight of 16,000 people lining the main street. There were Elvii and Priscillas galore of all ages and sizes on Elvis-themed floats, in vintage cars, on motorcycles, in walking groups and marching bands.
In 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 26th year with the theme ‘68 Comeback’.
By Maggi Barnard (see results of competitions and other highlights on p.12)