“He thought we would forget him. And look at him, he’s bigger than ever,” says Taz “Funky Elvis” Dimtsis, an Elvis Presley impersonator. Several thousand people have converged since Tuesday on Sydney Central Station, to board the “Blue Suede Express” and join an annual pilgrimage in homage to the King. The train takes them to the small farming town of Parkes, which welcomes some 25,000 fans each year for its festival dedicated to Elvis.
Elvis Presley (1935-1977) never sang a single note in Australia and even less so in Parkes which is about 350 kilometers from Sydney, but that is not a problem for Australian fans of the king of rock and roll . “It’s fantastic,” he says with an enthusiastic sway of his hips.
Elvis lovers replace their fanny packs and wipe the sweat from their sideburns as they wait for the train in the sweaty humidity of the Sydney summer. Sparkling in her blue sequined costume, Jenny Dollin can barely contain her excitement.
The first Elvis Festival in Parkes took place in 1993, initiated by local restaurateurs Bob and Anne Steel. It attracted nearly 300 people. Today, this town of some 10,000 inhabitants claims its nickname of “Australia’s Elvis capital”.
Held over five days, this year’s event features Elvis-inspired poetry, art exhibits, dozens of musical tributes and lookalike contests (“Elvis Junior,” “Elvis Senior,” “Priscilla Junior », “Priscilla Senior” ). This is the program that awaited hundreds of fans aboard the train Thursday morning. “We can confirm that Elvis has left the station,” an officer said over the loudspeaker.
