Get your float ready: Viva Las Vegas

THE annual Northparkes Mines Street Parade is back and ready to rumba at the 2017 Parkes Elvis Festival. Shake, rattle and roll your way down the main drag on Saturday, January 14, with this year’s theme, the 1964 Elvis film, ‘Viva las Vegas’.

Thousands of thrill-seekers are expected and groups can register a float, car or walking team and transform Parkes into the Las Vegas Strip. Get amongst the hordes of Elvis-themed floats, Elvis and Priscilla look-alikes, vintage cars, motorcycles and marching bands parading down Clarinda Street from Bushman Street to Cooke Park at 10am.

Top tips to get your float ready

Watch the film. Why not have an American-themed night with your family and friends for inspiration? Enjoy some Elvis and put on Viva las Vegas, get your poker cards out and get into the spirit of the fun capital of the world!

Hit the shops. You don’t have to spend a mountain of cash on your costume. Hit up the local discount shop, second-hand store, stationery outlet or newsagent and get creative.

Surf the web. Check out websites like Pinterest where there are thousands of fun and simple ideas to create a fantastic Elvis Vegas-themed float. Think bold and bright colours like hot pink, purple, green, gold and blue.

Here are some decoration ideas to get you into the Vegas spirit: Hot rod themed floats; Wedding chapel themed floats; Show girl costumes (feathers, headdresses, fishnet tights);

Gambling chips/machines, cards, dices; American flags; Cocktail dresses/suits; Retro swimsuits. As the saying goes “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, so organisers suggest not to let your creativity be shortened, gather your friends and join the show!

Download your Northparkes Mines Street Parade registration form from the website. Registration is essential and it's free. There are awards up for grabs including Best Classic Car, Best Float and even Best Walking Group, so start practising that swagger.

Tips

Plan: Be creative, think outside the box, clear idea of what you are making.

Materials: Discount shops, secondhand shop, doesn’t need to be expensive. For all programming and ticketing information, visit the website at www. parkeselvisfestival.com.au.