The annual Parkes Elvis Festival celebrates the legend and the music of Elvis Presley and is held in Parkes, New South Wales. The first festival took place in 1993 at Graceland Restaurant to commemorate Elvis's birthday and attracted 300 attendees. Since then, more events have been added to what is now a five-day-long festival of all things Elvis, attracting a crowd that doubles the population of Parkes.
There are some really passionate Elvis fans in Parkes. One local couple has been operating ‘Gracelands Restaurant’ by deed poll and another local has even changed his name to Elvis. The festival was brought together by a passionate community that saw a potential for this fun event. The summer month was chosen as the perfect time to host the event as it is when local tourism is slow and coincides with Elvis's birthday on January 8th.
The Elvis Festival events are held for five days. During the past years, the program has been extended and there are now close to 120 individual events. The program includes the headline Feature Concerts Series, the Northparkes Mines Street Parade, the Elvis Gospel Service, the famous Renewal of Vows, nonstop free entertainment in Cooke Park, the Poets’ Breakfast, the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, busking, cake decorating, dancing, and much more!
The Elvis Express between Sydney and Parkes is an annual highlight for festival visitors as they are serenaded by Elvis all the way from Sydney.
