Images - Parkes Elvis Festival 2022
The Multi-Award Winning Parkes Elvis Festival will return from
20-24 April in 2022, instead of the traditional second week in January to coincide with Elvis Presley's birthday. In its 29th year, the festival grows by leaps and bounds each year, with more than 200 Elvis and
Speedway inspired events across five Elvis-fuelled days to look forward to. Don't miss out on much loved festival favourites like the Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows Ceremony, Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, free Cooke Park Main Stage Entertainment and Elvis Gospel Service.
Recognised as one of the top three festivals and events in Australia, it attracts 24,000 fans with a global reach of more than 400 million. It's one of the reasons why you need to get your
tickets now to this festival that's a dream event for all die-hard Elvis fans. You'll find the King size Program of Events
right here for each and every day of the festival.
This year's festival theme is Speedway, dedicated to Elvis' 1968 musical hit about a race car driver with a heart of gold. Festival attendees are encouraged to dress in theme. Think go-go dancing girls, overalls, racing suits and red, white and blue. Top Australian tribute artist Mark Anthony will also stage a one-off special Speedway Show to celebrate the festival theme.
If you're feeling competitive, you might want to check out the
competitions on the website. From lookalike competitions, tribute to Elvis competitions, busking championships and more, you're bound to find something that's perfect for you. Don't miss new events like the Speedway Exhibit of rare and classic race cars, meet-and-greet racing stars and virtual reality simulators.
A Pin-Up Pageant will be hosted over three days of the festival for rockabilly and vintage fashion lovers. For the theatrical, Sons of Sun is a wild rock and roll play about Sun Records, Memphis, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. For the first time, fans will enjoy four days of free entertainment from the impressive new performance stage at Cooke Park.
To get really up close and personal with the Elvis event, find out how you can get involved
here. Take the opportunity to become involved in this internationally endorsed event. The more you put in, the more fun you will have! Have fun with a workshop, join the street parade, run a market stall or volunteer your time. To help you plan your visit, you'll find suggestions on the
website for places to stay, where to eat, shop and how to get around and so on. The festival's
Facebook page is also a great way to stay updated. There's a call out for volunteers and if you're interested, you can apply
here.
To make life easy and the living good,
Central West Tours take the worry out of finding accommodation and transportation to the Festival and so on. You can
book the Parkes Elvis Festival Package and get 4 nights accommodation, 2 dinners and 4 breakfasts, show tickets, transfers and more. If you're after an exciting lineup of Elvis Tribute Artists plus The Dynamic Blues Brothers at the Rock and Bowl Dinner Show, you know the drill, you need to start
booking for a two-course meal and three hours of great entertainment.
You'll also find a host of other top American talent at the festival, with links to Elvis and the Speedway movie, including a virtual Q&A appearance by Speedway child star Victoria Paige Meyerink, and a chance to meet in person Charles Stone, tour producer for the Elvis Presley Tours in the 1970s. Australian music legend and Platinum artist Brian Cadd will be inducted into the Wall of Fame. The singer, songwriter, keyboard player and producer will be honoured as not only Australian music industry icon for over 50 years, but a continued force that is sure to set next year's festival off to a rockin' start.
Another most decorated country artist, Aussie Adam Harvey joins the lineup for the Elvis Country Special, performing a tribute to Elvis' many country music hits. However, the festival is not just about all things Elvis. Australia's colourful rockabilly and vintage communities are also celebrated. There will be a host of workshops held where fans can discover vintage styling, revel in burlesque performance and even take a masterclass in drawing The King himself.
The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns in 2022, with leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club. Officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, the winner will represent Parkes in the Semi-Final round of the 2022 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during Elvis Week in August. As you can see, this is indeed a huge event and you need to really get in early to book all events you're interested in. The King may have left the building, but he certainly lives on!
