A special birthday celebration has been planned and several new major additions will ensure the festival is the best in its 23 year history.

The impressive official launch of the 2015 Elvis Festival program, the new-look Festival brand and the new Festival website took place at the site where it all began all those years ago, Hotel Gracelands on Monday.

Festival Director, Emily Mann provided a detailed report of the impressive 120 event program.

“As the first Elvis festival in the world to celebrate Elvis's birthday, Parkes is throwing one heck of an opening night party on Thursday, January 8, Elvis' birthday,” she said.

“Elvis's 80th Birthday Gala Dinner will tell the story of Elvis Presley's life through words and song. 

“2015 will see the creation of a new outdoor Festival precinct,” Emily revealed.

“The pedestrian-only Clarinda Street Festival Boulevard will stretch all the way down the main street and visitors will be able to enjoy the range of activities and entertainment on offer, including the new Memphis Satellite Stage to be located in the Church Street east closure. 

“The Memphis Satellite Stage will provide an additional platform for our popular buskers to perform, as well as other feature artists including jugglers, music acts and carnival entertainment.”

Emily said extra accommodation, buses, parking and infrastructure would also be in place to ensure the more than 18,000 visitors were well looked after.    

More on the launch in Friday’s edition.