When eight-year-old Will Mather saw Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film on a plane, he was hooked.
Six months on, the youngster is decked out in leather jacket, sunglasses and sideburns with a small guitar in hand, all set for Australia’s ultimate Elvis party.
He is one of about 24,000 people expected to rock’n’roll through the Parkes Elvis Festival in the NSW central west until Sunday.
“I like how he moves his hips and how he sings,” Will said before boarding the Elvis Express train from Sydney on Thursday morning.
“I just like listening to Elvis music.”
Dad Chris Mather, also a first-time festival goer, said Will wasn’t raised in an Elvis-obsessed household but seeing a bit of the critically acclaimed Luhrmann film captured his son’s imagination.
“Since then, he’s been obsessed,” he told AAP.
The pair were among 185 enthusiasts to take the “Elvis express” to Parkes, enjoying a series of on-board concerts from bejewelled tribute artists to get them in the mood for four days of Presley-themed entertainment.
This year’s theme is Blue Hawaii, the first of three musical films based in Hawaii that starred Presley, meaning attendees are encouraged to don Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts or give a blue tinge to their Elvis suits.
Rockhampton woman Carol Walker, who is celebrating her 60th birthday at the festival with her daughters Ursula-Jean and Nunkeri, felt the reason behind her Elvis love was obvious.
“Oh, check him out! What do you think? He’s that hot,” she said.
“The music, the dancing, the rock and roll, I love it all.”
Elvis fans dressed in leis, floral shirts and swing skirts packed Parkes station’s single train platform to greet the Elvis Express when it rolled into town at 3.10pm.
“Phew, it’s been busy,” one train guard remarked.
Donna Buckley and her mother travelled from Penrith to Parkes for the first time, saying the half-day train ride wasn’t long enough.
“We loved every bit of it, it was just magnificent. When we stopped I thought, ‘No, keep on going’,” Ms Buckley said.
She said there was nobody else like Elvis.
“He was an amazing person, a genuine, loving type of guy. We just love Elvis – and not to mention he was pretty good on the eyes.”
On the second day of the five-day festival, the main street of Parkes was packed with buskers of all ages, prompting many spontaneous swing dance sessions.
The 30th anniversary will feature entertainment from acts including reigning Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest international champion Victor Trevino Jr and Californian artist Dean Z as well as a street parade on Saturday.
Thursday night features a dinner celebrating the grace of Priscilla Presley, while on Sunday dozens will renew their vows at an Elvis-themed commitment ceremony.
The Parkes Elvis Festival is held in the second week of January to coincide with the rock’n’roll king’s birthday. It is officially endorsed by Presley’s estate.
By Luke Costin and Stephanie Gardiner in Sydney
