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Parkes Elvis Festival
Wed 4 January - Sun 8 January
Celebrating 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’, Parkes Elvis Festival has announced their bumper anniversary program of events, jam-packed with concerts, parades, markets, competitions…. and even skydiving!
Returning from Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 January 2023, Parkes Elvis Festival will see over 25,000 people make the annual pilgrimage to Central NSW for the biggest tribute to The King in the Southern Hemisphere.
The spectacular 2023 program features hundreds Elvis and Blue Hawaii themed events, including returning favorites Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony, Festival markets and a stellar line up of entertainment on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage.
Tickets to all events are on sale now, including the Feature Concert Series. This year, the Feature Concert Series will see Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists, entertain crowds across each day of the Festival.
The beating heart of the Festival, Cooke Park, will once again play host to incredible free live shows with U.S. Elvis Tribute Artist Alexander Mitchell headlining on Thursday. Catch Damian Mullin, Dean Vegas and Mark Andrew on the Friday night; and on Saturday night, Jack Gatto celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation of the concert.
Ross Wilson, founder and frontman of the long-standing rock groups Daddy Cool and Mondo Rockwill be inducted to the Wall of Fame. The Eagle Rock-ing music legend will perform a special concert on the opening day of the Festival to kick-start the five days of festivities.
The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns in 2023, with leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club. Officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, the winner will represent Parkes in the Semi-Final round of the 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during Elvis Week in August.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary and get hearts pumping, the Festival have introduced a slew of new events. ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci will be performing Elvis’ hits from 1956- 69, showcasing his early years and film.
For the more adventurous Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing and a new stretch and strengthen class to the ballads of Elvis. Thrill seeking fans of The King, decked out in their finest Elvis costume will rain down from the heavens with a new skydiving event by Sydney Skydivers also added to the Festival line-up.
This year’s Festival theme is Blue Hawaii, dedicated to Elvis’ 1961 musical hit. As usual, Festival attendees will spend the next few months planning their themed outfits. Expect to see Parkes transform into a tropical paradise with a sea of Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts taking over the regional town.
For the best way to arrive in style for the Festival you can’t go past the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express train services. Each year, hundreds of travelers in bejeweled jumpsuits and poodle skirts converge on Sydney’s Central Station for a morning of live entertainment before hopping aboard trains where they are serenaded by Elvis Tribute Artists all the way to Parkes. You can also fly to the Festival on the Regional Express Hound Dog Express where you can enjoy drinks and Elvis style entertainment in the REX Lounge at Sydney Airport.
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