Elvis impersonators hit outback

By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney

Last year's festival set a record for the number of impersonators

An army of white-suited and big-haired Elvis impersonators has gathered in a small town in Australia for a festival dedicated to the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Parkes in New South Wales has been hosting the festival, the largest event of its kind in the country, since 1993.

The town's population is expected to almost double over the weekend.

This year's carnival features a host of look-alike and sound-alike competitions, an Elvis art show and a special Gospel church service.

The events are being themed after Elvis's popular 1961 film, Blue Hawaii, and his hit 1956 song, Blue Suede Shoes.

Uplifting occasion

Elvis Presley would have been 73 this week. The Parkes Elvis Festival was first held in a small restaurant 15 years ago to celebrate his birthday.

The event now attracts more than 7,000 fans and features dozens of concerts and competitions.

For whatever reason it works, honestly can't explain it but it really does work Reverend John Ruhle

There are Elvis lawn bowls and golf challenges, as well as a cheeseburger eating contest, which pays homage to one of the American singer's favourite snacks. There is also an Elvis-themed Gospel church service.

It has become so popular over the years that it now takes place in a supermarket car park.

One of the organisers, the Reverend John Ruhle, says it is an uplifting occasion.

"You get comments, people saying 'my husband hasn't been to church in 35 years but he wants to come to this' and people come back year after year so they can go and be a part of the Gospel service," he adds.

Parkes's population is expected to almost double over the weekend

"So it is, yeah, it's quite humbling and it's amazing. For whatever reason it works, honestly can't explain it but it really does work."

Last year's festival in Parkes set a new world record for the number of Elvis impersonators in one place.

Big hair and even bigger flared trousers are standard issue for enthusiastic followers of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, who died in 1977 at the age of 42.

A special "Elvis Express" has brought hundreds of fans to Parkes by rail.

For many, the highlight of the festival is a giant street parade, where this dusty corner of the Australian outback will once again be illuminated by an array of rhinestones and sequins.