Program announced for Parkes Elvis Festival 30th Anniversary

Parkes Elvis Festival has announced their 30th anniversary program which features concerts, parades, markets and hundreds of Elvis and Blue Hawaii themed events.

Running from 4th to 8th  January 2023, Parkes Elvis Festival will see over 25,000 people make the annual pilgrimage to Central NSW for the biggest tribute to Elvis in the Southern Hemisphere.

Starting as a small get together between like-minded Elvis fans in 1993, the Festival has grown today into an internationally renowned phenomenon, recognised as one of the top events in Australia and attracting fans from all over the globe.

Festival Director Tiffany Steel, whose parents Bob and Anne founded the Festival, said this year’s program will be bigger and better than ever to celebrate the Festival’s 30th birthday. “The 2023 Festival is such a special milestone for us. Over the last 30 years, we have grown into a world-renowned event that’s attended by tens of thousands of people each year. We plan celebrating the longevity and popularity of the Festival in 2023 with a program that’s fit for The King.”

The spectacular 2023 program includes returning favourites Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony, Festival markets and a stellar line up of entertainment on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage.

The beating heart of the Festival, Cooke Park, will once again play host to incredible free live shows with U.S. Elvis Tribute Artist Alexander Mitchell headlining on Thursday. Catch Damian Mullin, Dean Vegas and Mark Andrew on the Friday night; and on Saturday night, Jack Gatto celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation of the concert.

Ross Wilson, founder and frontman of the long-standing rock groups Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock will be inducted to the Wall of Fame. The Eagle Rock-ing music legend will perform a special concert on the opening day of the Festival to kick-start the five days of festivities.

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns in 2023, with leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club. Officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, the winner will represent Parkes in the Semi-Final round of the 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during Elvis Week in August.

Commenting on the festival NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin notes “it offers an unbeatable mix of music, costumes and entertainment, combined with country hospitality. I encourage Elvis lovers to dust off their blue suede shoes and secure tickets before they sell out.”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary and get hearts pumping, the Festival have introduced a slew of new events. ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci will be performing Elvis’ hits from 1956- 69, showcasing his early years and film.

For the more adventurous Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing and a new stretch and strengthen class to the ballads of Elvis. Thrill seeking fans of The King, decked out in their finest Elvis costume will rain down from the heavens with a new skydiving event by Sydney Skydivers also added to the Festival line-up.

This year’s Festival theme is Blue Hawaii, dedicated to Elvis’ 1961 musical hit. As usual, Festival attendees will spend the next few months planning their themed outfits. Expect to see Parkes transform into a tropical paradise with a sea of Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts taking over the regional town.

For the best way to arrive in style for the Festival you can’t go past the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express train services. Each year, hundreds of travellers in bejewelled jumpsuits and poodle skirts converge on Sydney’s Central Station for a morning of live entertainment before hopping aboard trains where they are serenaded by Elvis Tribute Artists all the way to Parkes. You can also fly to the Festival on the Regional Express Hound Dog Express where you can enjoy drinks and Elvis style entertainment in the REX Lounge at Sydney Airport.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said since 2004, NSW TrainLink has been supporting the festival with a specially branded XPT for the return journey to and from the iconic festival in the state’s central west.

Tickets to all Parkes Elvis Festival shows, across the many venues in the city, are available to purchase online now at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au.

Image: Courtesy Parkes Elvis Festival FB