Elvis really does live in Parkes

But what some may not know is that the town really is home to its own Elvis - Elvis Lennox that is.

And as you'd expect, he's been involved in the Parkes Elvis Festival in one way or another since it began in 1993.

In fact he has the honourable title of being our first - and second - Elvis look-a-like winner.

Though back then he was known as Neville Steven Lennox, or Steve, before he legally changed it to Elvis in 1997.

"I never liked Neville. I asked mum's permission to change it," Elvis said.

"I'm a big Elvis fan and because I like the name. One festival someone yelled across the street to me 'hey Elvis' and I thought why not?"

Elvis became fascinated with The King in 1959 at age five after viewing 'Love Me Tender', in which Elvis starred, at the Bourke Picture Theatre. He started collecting all things Elvis at this early age, but it wasn't until he was 16 that he really started to beef-up his collection.

When an Elvis Festival planned for January 1993 was announced, Elvis and his wife Debby were very excited about it.

"2PK Radio was running a competition and Debby rang in to enter and she won tickets to the first night," Elvis said.

"She got into cutting and sewing, and she made my jumpsuit."

But Elvis didn't know there was a look-a-like competition until festival founder and the Elvis Revival committee president Bob Steel approached him and asked if he'd be a judge for the competition.

"I thought about it but I told him 'I'd rather enter the competition'," Elvis said.

"It was the best night I've ever had in my life!"

He still has both his ticket stub, number 146, from the evening at Gracelands restaurant and function centre and his concert ticket, number 187, featuring Eddie Youngblood, Parkes Elvis Festival's first feature concert artist (who performed from 1993 to 1995) at the Parkes Leagues Club, costing all of $12.