Parkes Elvis Festival
- Written by Matt Fraser
Celebrating another year of hip swivels, poodle skirts and pompadours, the Parkes Elvis Festival has unveiled its 2024 program, filled to the brim with concerts, dance lessons, art classes... and even an Elvis-themed dog show!
From Wednesday 10 - Sunday 14 January 2024, over 25,000 Elvis enthusiasts are expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Parkes NSW, making it the largest congregation of Elvis fans in the Southern Hemisphere and the official hometown of Elvis in Australia.
The electric program is bursting with Elvis and Jailhouse Rock-inspired events. Back by popular demand are the Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony, Festival markets, and, of course, electric performances on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage.
In 2024, the Parkes Elvis Festival delivers outstanding new concerts for diehard fans: Dive into a harmonious blend of blues and rock with The Blues Brothers Spectacular Dinner Show at Parkes Golf Club, or revel in the 70s nostalgia as The Vegas Legends tribute brings Elvis, Cher, and Tina Turner back to the spotlight. For those seeking a global flair, Elvis International promises a world-class dinner show, uniting Elvis Tribute Artists from Osaka to Scotland, all celebrating the iconic tunes of The King.
Legendary Australian surf rock band, The Atlantics, will be inducted to the Wall of Fame. Celebrated for their ground-breaking 1963 hit, Bombora, The Atlantics' iconic sound has inspired countless musicians and resonates with new generations. The celebration takes a musical turn with a tribute concert at the Services Club, where Martin Cilia (The Atlantics and Mental as Anything), will captivate audiences with the band's classic tunes. The event also features special guest Lonnie Lee, Australia's pioneering Elvis Tribute Artist.
Parkes Elvis Festival Producer Julien Poulson said, "Every year, the Festival strives to encapsulate the magic of Elvis, to create an experience that resonates with both long-time fans and newcomers. This 2024 program, with its diverse range of events and world-class performances, truly embodies the spirit and legacy of The King.”
The 2024 Parkes Elvis Festival is set to dazzle with its International Feature Concert Series, headlined by not one, but two top international artists Taylor Rodriguez and Cote Deonath, winner of the coveted 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest in Memphis. This dynamic duo, alongside a medley of top Elvis Presley tribute artists, will kick off the festival with The Ultimate Elvis Jukebox Request Show. Audiences will be transported through the eras, from rockabilly to Vegas, as the likes of Jack Gatto, Che Orton, Johnny Lee Memphis, and Mark Andrew join Cote and Taylor onstage to deliver Elvis's most iconic melodies.
Beyond concerts, the program offers unique experiences: try your hand at Jailhouse Bingo, stretch those tired dancing muscles to Elvis's classics, or watch pups strut their stuff at the Hound Dog Dog Show, where canine companions vie for the title of The King. Get adventurous with rock climbing classes, Rock n Roll dance lessons, or get creative with Paint and Elvis art sessions.
The event is also a mecca for buskers, with applications still open for performers to appear at the Festival.
Starting as a small get-together between like-minded Elvis fans in 1993, the Festival has grown today into an internationally renowned phenomenon, recognised as one of the top events in Australia and attracting fans from all over the globe.
The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns in 2024, 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 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during Elvis Week in August.
Arrive to Parkes in style aboard the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express or the Regional Express Hound Dog Express, with both offering a dose of Elvis-infused entertainment.
Tickets to all Parkes Elvis Festival shows, across the many venues in the city, will go on sale 12pm, Tuesday 19 September at www.parkeselvisfestival.
Parkes Elvis Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
EVENT NAME: Parkes Elvis Festival
DATES: 10-14 January 2024
THEME: Jailhouse Rock
WEBSITE: www.
LOCATION: Parkes, NSW, Australia