The fabulous fifties – that’s the focus of the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival which kicks off next Wednesday.
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More than 26,000 people are expected to shake, rattle and roll into Parkes – with Forbes also abuzz with visitors – for the festival from January 9 to 13.
The theme is All Shook Up, celebrating Elvis' iconic song and all things '50s.
Kicking off the festival is the all-new All Shook Up Special – a tribute to the Million Dollar Quartet, featuring Lance Lipinsky as Jerry Lee Lewis, 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest winner Anthony Petrucci as Elvis Presley, Daniel Thompson as Johnny Cash and Brad Bergen as Carl Perkins.
Festival director Cathy Treasure said the Special will celebrate the 1957 impromptu jam session that was recorded between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
The program includes the much-loved headline Feature Concert Series, the Miss Priscilla Dinner, Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows Ceremony, free entertainment on the main stage in Cooke Park and Elvis Gospel Service.
New to the program are workshops including ukuleles and Kids Talent Workshops.
Mark Andrew returns to the festival with his Legends’ Show on the Friday, while Saturday will see a Tribute to Phil Emmanuel.
This year’s Wall of Fame inductee, to be added to the Wall of Fame on the first day of the festival, is Australian singer-songwriter Russell Morris.
Forbes hosts Elvis for breakfast on Saturday, January 12, kicking off at 7am for those who want to head to Parkes for the parade and continuing through to midday for those who just want to enjoy the morning out in town.
Set to bring all the fun of a retro carnival to Forbes, the breakfast will feature Elvis tribute artist Che Orton and local artist Adam Enslow.
There will be options for breakfast and food vans including fairy floss, bagels and old-fashioned lemonade, and plenty for the kids to do including children’s rides, a huge jumping castle and the bucking bull ride.
For the full Elvis Festival program and information about buses to Parkes from Forbes visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au or pick up a copy at the Forbes Railway Arts and Tourist Centre.
Forbes’ Cenwest Tours is running an additional evening shuttle, departing Forbes 5pm and returning at midnight.
Bookings are essential, contact Cenwest Tours.
