The 2016 Festival was awarded bronze in the Festivals and Events category in front of an audience of 800 industry leaders and peers at a gala ceremony in Darwin on Friday.

The Australian Tourism Awards are the industry’s peak awards, recognising and promoting excellence in tourism.

“This award is the icing on the cake for what has been a remarkable 12 months for the Parkes Elvis Festival,” Parkes Shire mayor, Cr Ken Keith said.

“This esteemed award is a reflection of all the hard work, dedication and support that our wonderful community, volunteers and staff contribute each year to make the festival what it is today.

“It's a great honour to have been recognised by our peers and Australia's leaders in tourism as one of the best events in the nation.

“This award caps off an exceptional couple of months, having won the Regional and State Tourism Awards late last year, a NSW / ACT Regional Achievement & Community Award in November, and delivering the most successful Parkes Elvis Festival to date in January.”

The Festival was one of eight finalists in the Festivals and Events category, representing NSW against Uluru Camel Cup (NT), Sounds by the River (SA), Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC), Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster (WA), Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo (QLD), The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Marion Bay (TAS) and 2016 National Folk Festival (ACT).

Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo won gold and the 2016 National Folk Festival was awarded silver.