Lord have mercy, Elvis mania has taken over Sydney’s Central station as revellers in bejewelled jumpsuits and well-gelled quiffs pack two trains headed for the annual Parkes Elvis Festival.
Hundreds of fans and impersonators paid tribute to the King before heading to the New South Wales country town, 365km west of Sydney, for the yearly January pilgrimage.
Hours before Thursday’s 9.20am departure, crooners sang Elvis hits to daily commuters and even stole kisses from doe-eyed fans who came to pay their respects to the memory of rock’n’roll royalty.
Lord have mercy, Elvis mania has taken over Sydney’s Central station as revellers in bejewelled jumpsuits and well-gelled quiffs pack two trains headed for the annual Parkes Elvis Festival
Hundreds of fans and impersonators paid tribute to the King before heading to the New South Wales country town, 365km west of Sydney, for the yearly January pilgrimage
While the trains may not be 16 coaches long, passengers such as this impersonator expect the ride to set their souls on fire
Fans packed the Blue Suede Express and Elvis Express for the seven-hour trip to Parkes for the festival to be attended by thousands over the next four days.
While the trains may not be 16 coaches long, passengers expect the ride to set their souls on fire.
Hip-swivelling Scotsman Stewart Munro is among a group of five, ready to shake, rattle and roll.
‘We’re all here for Elvis, he’s the king,’ he said on Thursday.
Fans packed the Blue Suede Express and Elvis Express for the seven-hour trip to Parkes for the festival to be attended by thousands over the next four days
Hours before Thursday’s 9.20am departure, crooners sang Elvis hits to daily commuters and even stole kisses from doe-eyed fans who came to pay their respects to the memory of rock’n’roll royalty
The festival in Parkes, Australia is set to take place from 10th to the 14th of January with the trains arriving on the afternoon of the 11th
The Elvis Express and the Blue Suede Express are the two special trains taking fans and impersonators to the Parkes festival
‘The whole world loves Elvis.’
His cousin Ross Cummings, also heading to Parkes, says he was impressed by the Elvis fever at the station.
‘I’ve never been, but if this is anything to go by, it’s going to be good.’
Elvis impersonator Brody Finlay looks at his reflection before boarding the Elvis Express at Central Station in Sydney
Even the railway workers got in on the act, with this pair of impersonators donning Elvis-like quiffs and massive sunglasses
An Elvis impersonator posed for a photograph before boarding the Elvis Express at Central Station on Thursday, January 11
Parkes Mayor Ken Keith (pictured), the ‘best-dressed mayor in all of Australia’, was in his best Elvis costume at the station
Tourism Minister Adam Marshall said more than 25,000 revellers are expected to pack the rural town, but there is also the money, honey, with a forecast $14 million pumped into the local economy.
‘It’s the largest celebration of the King globally and it’s right here in NSW,’ he said, before handing over to Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, the ‘best-dressed mayor in all of Australia’.
Wearing a baby blue studded jumpsuit, Elvis shades and sideburns, Cr Keith was looking more like Elvis than Elvis himself.
Ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog! This devoted fan wore his best Elvis-like shirt while crooning into the microphone at the station
Wearing a baby blue studded jumpsuit, Elvis shades and sideburns, Cr Keith (pictured) was looking more like Elvis than Elvis himself
All aboard the Elvis Express! A big hairdo that would put the King’s to shame, a bright red jacket and oversized sunglasses
With two trains from Sydney and two coaches from Canberra and Tamworth, the festival is ‘bigger and better than ever’, he gushed.
‘We’re looking forward to this quirky, unique festival to provide all the fun and entertainment you’d like to see,’ he said.
This year marks 50 years since Elvis’s 1968 comeback, although he’s likely always on the minds of the colourful festival devotees.
Elvis impersonator Sean Wright of Bowral poses for a photograph before boarding the Elvis Express at Central Station in Sydney
With two trains from Sydney and two coaches from Canberra and Tamworth, the festival is ‘bigger and better than ever’ said the mayor (pictured)