Parkes Elvis Festival returns in 2022 with events inspired by the speedway

November 16, 2021

The Parkes Elvis Festival is set to return 20th-24th April 2022 with the program presenting more than 200 Elvis and speedway inspired events, including much-loved festival favourites Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows Ceremony, Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, free Cooke Park Main Stage Entertainment and Elvis Gospel Service.

The Festival will host new events, including a 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.

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 24,000 fans.

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.

Festival Director, Cathy Treasure notes “the Festival is so excited to return next year, bigger and better than ever with a huge program of activities. Although we can’t celebrate on Elvis’ birthday like we normally do, we’re planning a big party regardless and look forward to sharing this iconic festival experience with locals and visitors coming to Parkes.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Regional Events Acceleration Fund will help next year’s Parkes Elvis Festival deliver a bigger program of events and noted “the multi-award-winning Parkes Elvis Festival will attract huge crowds of locals and visitors across five fabulous fun-filled days.

“The Parkes Elvis Festival is considered one of Australia’s most iconic events and with a global media reach of more than 400 million people, this all helps to put a big spotlight on the region and bring welcome tourism dollars to local businesses."

The Feature Concert Series will see the USA’s 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion, Taylor Rodriguez, make his Australian debut with four shows performed across the Festival, backed by the dynamic nine-piece TIC band. Jeff Lewis host of the famous 'Memphis After-Party' at Graceland's Elvis Week will MC.

The Festival will welcome a host of other top American talent 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 to 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.

Adam Harvey, Australia’s most decorated country artist, joins the Festival line-up for Elvis Country Special, performing a tribute to Elvis’ many country music hits.

The Festival isn’t 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.

For all programming and ticketing information, visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

Image top: 2022 Parkes Elvis Festival Speedway theme Anthony Petrucci and Elissa Gillingham

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