The 28th annual Parkes Elvis™ Festival has come to a close after another year of phenomenal performances, show stopping jumpsuits and hip swivelling action.
Approximately 25,000 fans from Australia and around the world descended on Parkes from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 January 2020 for a five day celebration of The King.
Festival Director Cathy Treasure said, “The Parkes Elvis Festival has grown into a global phenomenon, bringing people together from all corners of the world. We’ve had an electrifying five days of entertainment which saw Central West NSW transform into a vibrant cultural hub like no other.”
“I’d like to thank our incredible sponsors, performers, volunteers and staff who have been instrumental to the continued success of the Festival,” Ms Treasure said. Hundreds of Elvis devotees, adorned in rhinestone jumpsuits and sporting primped pompadours swiveled aboard the Elvis Express and Blue Suede Express at Sydney’s Central station on Thursday 9 January for nine hours of entertainment which featured live performances and a sound track of Elvis’ iconic hits.
US Elvis Tribute Artist Dean Z wowed audiences with his energetic tribute to the King across five shows at the Parkes Leagues Club.
For the fifth year running, a preliminary round of the international 2020 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest was staged at Parkes Leagues Club. International sensation Toki Toyokazu of Sendai, Japan placed first, followed by Che Orton of Hamilton, New Zealand and Brendon Chase of the Gold Coast, Queensland. Toyokazu will now travel to Memphis, USA, to represent Parkes at the Contest Semi-Final during Elvis Week in August.
The 2020 Priscilla, Face of the Festival, was awarded to Shania Sarsfield, of Wellington, New Zealand. Erin received the sash from outgoing 2019 Miss Priscilla, Erin O’Leary, at a gala dinner on the Thursday night of the Festival.
On Saturday 11 January the town came out in droves for the Northparkes Mines Street Parade which saw over 10,000 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.
“Whilst many of our festival supporters were affected in some way by the devastating bush fires, we are thankful for those that could still come and enjoy the festival with us and we are proud to have received a considerable amount of donations for the Rural Fire Service, WIRES and the Red Cross.”
“We will keep our online appeal open for those that would like to contribute the Red Cross relief and recovery efforts during these challenging times.”
In 2021 Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 29th year with the theme “Speedway”
The Parkes Elvis Festival is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
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