2023 FESTIVAL WRAP

The Parkes Elvis Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary in style with a 5-day long extravaganza from Wednesday, January 4th to Sunday, January 8th, 2023.

Themed “Blue Hawaii,” in honour of Elvis Presley’s 1961 hit musical, the Festival drew in over 25,000 Elvis fans from around the world to the regional town of Parkes, NSW, which was transformed into a tropical paradise for the occasion.

This milestone anniversary featured over 200 Elvis-inspired events, including the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony, Festival markets, and a range of entertainment on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage. A display of Elvis-themed props and items from the Festival’s early years was also available for fans to view, including replicas of Elvis’ Jungle Room and Carnival of Mirrors from Warner Bros. and the world’s largest hound dog from Baz Luhrmann’s movie Elvis.

The Feature concerts Series was headlined by Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s top Elvis Tribute Artists. Cooke Park was the site of free live shows featuring U.S. Elvis Tribute Artist Diogo Light, Damian Mullin, Dean Vegas, Mark Andrew, and Jack Gatto, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation. Ross Wilson, founder and frontman of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, was inducted into the Wall of Fame and performed with fellow Australian music legends Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, and Joe Camileri on the opening day of the Festival.

“We are thrilled to have celebrated 30 years of the King at the Parkes Elvis Festival. This year’s themed ‘Blue Hawaii’ event drew in a record number of Elvis fans from around the world to our regional town,” said Festival Director Tiffany Steel. “The Festival is an important economic driver for the region, bringing millions into the local economy and supporting local businesses.”

“Feedback from Festival guests and locals has been incredible and we’re already looking ahead to how we can deliver another stellar event for 2024,” added Steel.

For the seventh year running, a preliminary round of the international 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest was staged at Parkes Leagues Club. International sensation Johnny Lee Memphis of Scotland placed first, followed by Che Orton of Hamilton, New Zealand and Joe Piastrino of Melbourne. Johnny will now travel to Memphis, USA, to represent Parkes at the Contest Semi-Final during Elvis Week in August.

The 2023 Priscilla, Face of the Festival, was awarded to Nickyra Burley, of Victoria. Nickyra received the sash from outgoing 2022 Miss Priscilla, Ashleigh Smith, at a gala dinner on the Thursday night of the Festival.

On Saturday January 7th, spectators came out in droves for the Northparkes Mines Street Parade which saw over 8,000 people line the streets to enjoy over some of the most impressive Elvis-themed floats, vintage cars, motorcycles, walking groups and marching bands in the Festival’s history.

In 2024, Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 31^st year with the theme “Jailhouse Rock”

The Parkes Elvis Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, Regional NSW and Transport for NSW.