Parkes, made famous for its huge Parkes telescope situated to the north of the town was suddenly turned into Elvis Heaven over the weekend 10-12Jan 03, and I reckon I might be going again next year.

Parkes is a country town of some 10 500 people and the population swelled to 13 000 over that weekend. We arrived at our accommodation on Friday night and settled in only to see these blurred images of Elvis – well there were at least six of them or were my eyes playing up? But wait, there’s more of the same. It’s no wonder given, the man who some would say started Rock’n Roll with his first hit which rocketed the young Elvis to stardom "That’s all Right" and "Blue Suede Shoes’.

The whole weekend was one of celebrating with:

• a Street parade, an afternoon of live Elvis music
• walk up talent quest
• Elvis look alike contest
• a Normie Rowe concert at the Services Club. Do you remember some of his early hits – "Ooh Laa Laa", "It aint necessarily so", "It aint easy loving you babe"

Did you know Elvis had a heart for Gospel songs? What a moving experience, as on Sunday morning, a certain white jumpsuited gent sang some of Elvis’ heartfelt gospel songs at the Elvis Gospel Church Service (we have a picture taken with him who sang such heart rendering editions of Elvis favourite songs.), and

Sunday afternoon – a Talent Quest on Sunday afternoon at Gracelands. Talk about Elvis Heaven! Just a pity that nearby Forbes had a Jazz Festival on the same weekend. I hope they get it right next year.

From a personal angle, I met a bloke from my company in Vietnam and we had our picture taken with Prince Normie. Just a little extra buzz out of the blue.

Why not join us next year?