Mayor Ken Keith told his fellow councillors of the nice gesture at Parkes Shire Council’s January meeting – council’s first meeting for the new year – on Tuesday.

Of course just two days after the 2018 festival concluded, it was only natural the event was still fresh in everyone’s minds and councillors couldn’t stop raving about its success.

During his mayoral minutes section of the meeting, Cr Keith took the opportunity to talk about the festival, the new Elvis statue unveiling by NSW Governor David Hurley and his presence at the festival, and a visit to Parkes by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

He also showed councillors the wood carving Ben Thompson gifted council to say thank you for having him this year.

The words on the carving read ‘Thank you for an amazing festival, love Ben and Rianne’.

Ben was heard telling the large crowd in Cooke Park on Sunday morning, Day 5 of the festival: “The Parkes Elvis Festival has been the best experience of my life and highlight of my career”.

“The festival ran really smoothly and was really a team effort,” the mayor said.

“I believe it was the best yet...We were able to deliver a festival to the best standard.”

Cr Keith said he was thrilled with the new Elvis statue and its unveiling, and added the Governor and his wife Linda Hurley fully immersed themselves in the spirit of the 2018 festival.

The Governor, dressed as GI Blue, accompanied the mayor in the lead car during the iconic street parade before unveiling the statue in Cooke Park.

“I thought it was very appropriate the governor was there to unveil the statue,” Cr Keith said.

Mr and Mrs Hurley also attended several events at the festival, including the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Up Close and Personal with Mark Andrew, Saturday Night Special with Dean Vegas, the gospel service, Ben’s feature concert and the JFK photo exhibition.

Councillors had plenty to add to the conversation and report about the festival.

“Council has done a fantastic job, everyone has,” Cr Kenny McGrath said at the meeting.

“Cathy [Treasure] (Parkes Elvis Festival director) has done a fantastic job, what she’s done is just amazing.”

Cr McGrath suggested a letter of thanks be sent to the volunteers who gave their time for the festival, including those from out of town.

“We had volunteers from South Australia, Mackay – we had them from everywhere,” he said.

“70 per cent of volunteers were from out of town.”

Cr George Pratt said he received a lot of comments about how travelling on an old train – which was the second train, the Blue Suede Express, that arrived in town on the Thursday of the festival – brought back a lot of memories.

Cr Barbara Newton she was overwhelmed by all the positive comments of the festival.

“Especially the comments on the way the park was maintained by council staff,” she said.

“Everybody I spoke to said nothing was a bother to staff, it was exemplary.”

The mayor added the town now also has a plane carrying the Parkes branding, symbolising the strong partnership between council and Regional Express Airlines.

Following the discussion, council agreed to write letters to the Elvis Revival Inc, volunteers, festival sponsors and sculpture artist Terrance Plowright to thank them for their efforts and Mr and Mrs Hurley for attending this year’s festival.