There's simply no escaping Parkes Elvis Festival fans at the start of January each year. Be it on land, rail tracks or in the air, they're jiving away as they make their pilgrimage to the state's west.
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While a few hundred fans are dancing to live entertainment, singing and having the time of their life at Central Station before and onboard the Elvis Express train, there are a few more doing the exact same thing in the Rex lounge at the Sydney Airport.
Other passengers walk through the terminal and glance in as they hear an Elvis tribute artist belt out the classics.
All the while, thousands more eagerly await their arrival at the Parkes Train Station and Parkes Airport on the Thursday afternoon of the festival, in what can be best described as a ceremonial welcome.
The Elvis Express arrived and the Hound Dog Express touched down at the Parkes train station and airport respectively just after 3pm on January 5, with leis on hand for passengers disembarking.
Parkes School of Dance dancers added to the atmosphere, welcoming passengers and entertaining fans with some routines at both locations.
Here are some of the scenes we've captured.
READ MORE:
Follow our coverage of the Parkes Elvis Festival over the five days as the town and fans celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023. We've also marked the milestone with a special series of stories that show just how far the festival has come and the people who've made it what it is today.
Check out the series here:
- Where it began: Founders reflect on Elvis Festival's incredible evolution 30 years on
- Elvis Festival was hands-on for locals 'but we loved it', says daughter of founders
- Parkes Elvis Festival nearly 'lost forever' after seven years, now it's almost 30
- Elvis really does live in Parkes and he was our first look-a-like winner
- John's secret identity as our first Elvis sound-a-like winner a secret no more
- Unique and with potential: Kelly's crucial role in saving festival and taking it to the next level
- McGraths quietly working away behind festival curtains for 30 years, now their kids are too
- Kristy and her team doing their part for Elvis Festival because she says it's important
- Praise be for 30 years of Elvis Festival as Gospel Service comes of age
- Others may have thought they were fools to rush in dressed as Elvis but rugby boys started a movement
- Meet Parkes' first Miss Priscilla as festival turns 30 and competition marks 16 years
Christine Little
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
