The final countdown to the 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival has begun, with the first official event taking place Wednesday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and best tribute to the King, grooving into Parkes from Wednesday until Sunday, January 14.
Elvis Central – the festival’s official outlet for festival merchandise, souvenirs and information – officially opened in Clarinda Street on Saturday morning, with a small gathering taking place on Friday evening.
With Elvis’ 83rd birthday on Monday, the Elvis Revival Inc Committee hosted a birthday party in Cooke Park that morning.
The event featured a cake cutting and free entertainment by Parkes’ one and only Elvis Tribute Artist Barry Green.
The fabulous Parkes Boppers dance group were also present and the new Elvis statue was on display for all to see.
Festival goers can expect a program full to the brim of non-stop entertainment, competitions, dancing and loads of black leather for this year’s festival theme ’68 Comeback Special.
The theme celebrates 50 years since the King appeared on television in a special unplugged style performance that helped re-launch him back into the music industry.
Among the highlights include not one but two trains – the Elvis Express and the new the Blue Suede Express – making the journey to Parkes on Thursday. It’s an experience for the ages with colourful characters and plenty of on-board entertainment.
The 2018 Feature Concert Series will feature for the first time in Australia, multi-award winning UK Elvis tribute artist Ben Thompson, showcasing the King’s greatest hits. And the 2018 Miss Priscilla Dinner on Thursday evening will feature a special performance by Parkes 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Jack Gatto, and see the crowning of the 2018 Miss Priscilla.
There’s also a new Midnight Show at the Parkes Leagues Club on Friday.
And of course we can’t miss the favourites: the Elvis Wall of Fame induction – this year featuring Tommy and Phil Emmanuel on Wednesday aftrenoon, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, The Northparkes Mines Street Parade on Saturday morning, and Sunday’s Elvis Gospel Service, followed by a Renewal of Vows Ceremony in Cooke Park.
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest heats will go down on the Friday with the top eight continuing to the finals on Saturday.
The winner will go on to represent Parkes in the semi-final round of the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist in Memphis during Elvis Week, August 2018.
For all programming and ticketing information, visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au.
The Parkes Elvis Festival is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
