PARKES ELVIS FESTIVAL MOVES TO APRIL

Parkes Elvis Festival have announced that the Festival that was scheduled to take place from 5-9 January 2022 is moving to 20-24 April 2022.

The Festival team have been monitoring the situation with the safety and well-being of the community, artists, fans, staff and businesses first and foremost. The current risk, regulations, lockdowns and border restrictions have forced the organisers to make the decision to delay now rather than continue with planning for January surrounded by such uncertainty.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said “We had the community’s health and safety at the forefront when making the decision to delay. This extra time will help to ensure that vaccination rates are high, and life is returning to post-covid normality.”

Festival Director, Cathy Treasure said, “We are determined to make 2022 a memorable Parkes Elvis Festival for all to enjoy safely. Naturally the entire Festival family is disappointed that we can’t go ahead with our traditional January date. However, rest assured that we are working behind the scenes to deliver an incredible April event to celebrate in true Parkes fashion and continue the tradition of delivering a highly successful one-of-a-kind Festival.”

The Festival team have contacted the accommodation providers in the Parkes and Forbes Shires and have been assured that January 2022 bookings will be carried over to the new dates in April or alternatively to the 2023 Festival. “There is no need to rush and make contact now as accommodation providers have reserved the April dates for existing bookings. If fans are unable come in April then they should contact their accommodation providers to make alternate arrangements,” added Cathy.

Supporting the Mayor with the announcement, Parkes Chamber of Commerce President Geoff Rice said “The Chamber and business community support the change of date and look forward to welcoming fans to Parkes in Autumn. After such a long period of time in lockdowns, we feel Christmas and New Year will be a time best left for loved ones to reunite, and hopefully plan a trip to visit our town with confidence for the Festival in April 2022”.

The ticket launch date will be moved to 15 November in line with the new Festival dates.

“The new date is prior to the Anzac Day long weekend so another reason to stay longer and enjoy what the region has to offer,” the Mayor concluded.

The 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival will return to the usual date in January. The Festival will celebrate its 30th Anniversary from 4-8 January 2023.