Elvis Festival News South Wales, Australia
OK all you Hound Dogs, get out them Blue Suede Shoes, practice swivelling those hips, and head down to New South Wales on January 7th – 11th.
Each year the Parkes Elvis festival celebrates the birthday of the ‘King’. There are other Elvis festivals around the world in other locations (such as Porthcawl, Wales, and Collingwood) – more of these in later articles.
Thousands of Elvis – and I do mean thousands – impersonators gather for the occasion. With each costume vying to be more elaborate and outrageous than the rest, quiffs ‘glued’ in place…it’s a sight to behold!
Lip curling and hip swivelling is mandatory, as well as copying one of his best know phrases ‘Thank you very much’ said at the end of his shows.
What has made the town of Parkes hold this festival each year? Not surprisingly it has a whole load of Elvis fans living there, believe it or not, one of them has even changed his name by deed pole to Elvis, and there is also a Graceland’s restaurant, which has been in the town for years. So these fans got together and decided to celebrate the Kings birthday (8th January) to boost tourism and have an excuse to party!
This is five days of non-stop fun (providing of course you are an Elvis fan) that is getting bigger and better each year. What’s on offer?
Over 80 events
Elvis tribute concerts in the club venue’s
Exhibitions of Elvis memorabilia
Street parade
Back to the Alter – the renewal of wedding vows!
Film Screenings
An Elvis Gospel Church Service
TransTank Miss Priscilla dinner and big hair competition
A few of the highlights
The festival starts at 5.pm on Wednesday to late with free live entertainment in the Parkes Leagues club.
Thursday kicks of with an Elvis breakfast, and in the evening the Miss Priscilla Dinner, a night full of entertainment with the ‘sashing’ of Miss Priscilla.
Also on Thursday is a tribute to the king show
Friday – a feature concert by a great Elvis look alike
Saturday
10.00 Elvis Street parade
11am – 8pm free entertainment in Cooke Park
3pm and 8pm concerts
Sunday
8.30 Elvis Gospel Service
9am – 4pm free entertainment in Cooke Park
3pm Concert
Other events;
Inaugural Elvis Poets breakfast
On Saturday and Sunday there are markets and stalls for you to browse around
Elvis tribute artists and competitions;
Elvis golf day and dinner.
So if you’re taking a winter’s holiday in the sunshine of Australia and love Elvis there is not better place to be.
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