Picture Gallery: Elvis Festival celebrates 30th anniversary in Parkes

The Parkes Elvis Festival is in full swing with thousands travelling to the Central West including a Sydney couple planning to renew their vows at the event. See our mega picture gallery here.

Robyn Power, Margaret Thompson, Suzanne Sharp, Andrew Coulson and Lisa Coulson, and Vanessa Wheeler from Sydney at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has already seen more than 20,000 people walk through the gates with most dressed in their best Elvis or Priscilla outfits.

The festival, which started as a small birthday party for the music legend, attracts fans across Australia and is known as the biggest tribute to Elvis in the Southern Hemisphere.

Parkes local Brad Cartwright has been attending the festival for 16 years.

He said he had made “lifelong friends” through the festival which he continued to see on a yearly basis.

“When I was down in Sydney, I used to impersonate Elvis, but I’ve retired from that now,” Mr Cartwright said.

He said he loved seeing the “enthusiasm” that people had during the festival.

Brad Cartwright from Parkes at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

To honour the love between Elvis and Priscilla Presley, and reignite their own love, Michael and Katherine Ortega will renew their vowels on Sunday at Generosity Church during the festival.

The couple will celebrate their four-year anniversary in May.

As they “can’t help falling in love”, the couple said they were looking forward to the Elvis themed ceremony.

Michael and Katherine Ortega, from Sydney, are renewing their wedding vows at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Parkes local Dooley Thomson said the event “brings people and businesses together”.

“It’s nice to see everyone come together, especially in Parkes, for an event like this,” he said.

Beverly Bonar and Ronald Young from Melbourne enjoying their 14th year at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Central West Police District superintendent Brendan Gorman said the crowds had been “respectful” with people enjoying themselves over the past few days.

“It’s fantastic to have an event like this in Parkes and the central west,” Mr Gorman said.

“It’s very well managed by the Parkes Shire Council and the community so we really encourage everyone to come out from the police perspective and we’ll continue to support it as best as we can.”

First aid worker Graham Carney said there had not been any drugs or violence.

“People have been really respectful of one another, so it has been a lot of fun,” Mr Carney said.

The Parkes Elvis Festival began on Wednesday and crowds will continue to pay tribute to the musical legend until Sunday.

Graham Carney, Nichola Hart, Ava Petersons, and Priscilla Azar providing first aid to visitors at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Arja Todsavainen from Victoria Point and Riitta Mellish from Redland Bay at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Sunanda, Shelly, Simon, Jared, and Jacob Browne from Victoria spending their seventh year at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Jay Berthet from the Central Coast at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Chantelle and Joe Harkness from Mosman.

Kate Miller, Gordana Freney, Karen Hartley, and Sarah Jane Bowkett providing volunteering services at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Dylan Sanchez from Campbeltown.

Bill and Karen Magoffin from Tinonee.

Rohan Brettell and Laura Brown from Sydney at the Elvis Festival.

June Porter, Kate Fitzgerald, and Sharon Strong from Sydney.

Sandra Craig and Steven Gilson from Jervis Bay.

Mareesa Florek and Sharrie Meta from Wollongong.

Darrin Yates from Orange.

Flynn, Sheree, Anna, Bella, and Greg Camham at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Jim Carrow and George Berbari.

Ray and Leanne Davidson from the Central Coast.

Parkes local Dooley Thomson.

Faye and Steve Richardson, and Jo and Wayne Oliver from Newcastle enjoying themselves at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

June Porter, Kate Fitzgerald, and Sharon Strong from Sydney.

Charlene and Ian Subbi from Geeroa.

Parks Elvis ambassador and Peter Merhi at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.

Lady Dior Amur from Sydney at the Elvis Festival in Parkes.