Its time to rock as Elvis rolls in to town

PARKES: Elvis may have left the building almost 40 years ago, but he and several clones arrived on a train chugging into Parkes railway station from Sydney yesterday, marking the start of the 25th Parkes Elvis Festival in the south-eastern Australian town.

For five days in early January, “the King of Rock ’n’ Roll” lives on in this celebration of all things Elvis, including a tribute contest, a Miss Priscilla lookalike competition, a parade and gala dinner, and even a renewal of vows ceremony presided over by Elvis himself. This year, the iconic festival is themed after Elvis’s classic 1964 film Viva Las Vegas, with fans donning not only rhinestone-studded jumpsuits and their best wigs but also sequins and feathers, as buskers entertain the crowds.

Parkes’s population balloons to almost double its size during the festivities, with organisers expecting between 25 000 and 30 000 people to attend this year, but the concept was not always welcomed by locals.

“I think there was a bit of a cringe factor really with most people, including myself,” said Parkes local and pensioner Bob Bokeyar. “But I think we have come to love Elvis and love the festival.”

First held in 1993, the festival was the brainchild of husband and wife Bob and Anne Steel, who then owned the Gracelands restaurant in this quiet town in New South Wales. January was thought to be the best time for the festival as it coincided with Presley’s birthday on January 8.

PICTURES: REUTERS NOT-QUITE-BLUE-SUEDE-SHOES: Amateur rugby players from the Blue Suede Shoes team, dressed in Elvis Presley suits, perform a haka during the 25th annual Parkes Elvis Festival in Parkes, near Sydney, yesterday.

ROCKING AROUND THE CLOCK: Elvis tribute artist Sean Spiteri prepares backstage before a singing contest.

EYEFUL: Elvis impersonators with plastic hair and oversized sunglasses.

THE PELVIS: Performer Pete Storm, from London, dances on stage at the festival.