“I wasn't really aware of what I was getting myself into, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable events of my life,” Lucinda Coble (nee Glenn) said.
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Lucinda was the Parkes Elvis Festival’s very first Miss Priscilla, crowned what was to become one of the most iconic titles of the festival at the first Miss Priscilla Competition in 2007.
And she’s attended every Elvis Festival ever since, dressing to the occasion especially for the parade on the Saturday morning, because of her experience.
Lucinda, now 42, was born and raised in Parkes and moved to Newcastle a year and a half ago. She’s also a former Parkes East Public School and Parkes High School student.
“It's hard to believe that it was 10 years ago that I won Miss Priscilla 2007,” Lucinda said.
“When I was asked to enter by my hairstylist Jacinta Rawson, I didn’t even know what it was about.
“Then she came over with all these outfits and I thought ‘oh my goodness’,” she laughed.
“I decided to let go of any inhibitions I had and to just have fun with it.
“That’s basically what I did.”
But the last thing Lucinda expected was to win.
It took almost two hours to do her hair, which at times was a little unpleasant.
“I saw how high my hair was and I said ‘I think we’ve taken it too far’,” Lucinda laughed.
“But I learnt the more ridiculous [your hair was] the better as far as height went.”
The entire weekend and the experience is one Lucinda will never forget and one she highly recommends.
And her highlight?
“Definitely leading the parade with Bob Steel in his MG, it was like the queen,” she said.
“It was an absolutely fabulous night and the whole weekend was amazing.
“There were so many people around and everyone was so happy to be there...and everyone wanting photos with you.
“And here I thought I’d have a quiet weekend at home after the dinner.”
But Lucinda said it all was thanks to Jacinta, her hairstylist, who was from Top Hair Design at the time.
“She organised everything, she did all of the work – the hair, the outfit – I was just the model,” she said.
“If you want to enter, contact a hair dresser and ask them if they’ll help you enter and be open to having some fun.”
2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Miss Priscilla Competition and festival director Cathy Treasure said it’s not too late to sign up.
“We’re still accepting applications and encourage anyone who is keen for a bit of fun over the festival weekend to enter,” she said.
The Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner will take place on January 12 in the Starlight Room of the Parkes Services Club at 6.30pm.
The title of Miss Priscilla sees women from all walks of life spend the day getting their hair and make-up done, and dressed up to resemble Elvis’ one time love, Priscilla Presley.
Applications can be downloaded from the Parkes Elvis Festival website www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au
“I had brown hair then but I have black hair now so you could say it has rubbed off on me,” Lucinda said.
