Cheer on the amazing School of Dance students as they perform across the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Get ready to shake, rattle, and yee-haw! as dancers aged three to adult bring a bootscootin’, hip-swivellin’ celebration to this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival.

Parkes School of Dance Inc is a commu­nity-run regional dance school established in 2013. Committed to providing ageappropriate dance education in various styles, fostering creativity, and celebrating cultural icons like Elvis Presley through performances at events like the Parkes Elvis Festival is part of its bespoke DNA.

Parkes School of Dance Inc will be per­forming across multiple festival locations, showcasing line dancing, feel-good fam­ily routines, and a whole lot of rhinestonesparked fun. With everyone from tiny tots to dance parents hitting the dance floor, it’s a true all-ages, all-in family shindig.

“Our performers have embraced the country vibes this year — expect plenty of line dancing, classic Elvis charm, and the biggest smiles in town,” says President Catherine McQuie.

“It’s such a joy to bring our community together in a celebration of music, move­ment, and pure festival fun.”

Audiences can catch the dancers throughout the weekend at several festival hotspots, adding colour, movement, and feel-good rhythm wherever they go.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan, a country-music lover, or simply chasing a good time, these local dancers are ready to make your festival experience better when you’re dancing.

You can see Parkes School of Dance performing across the Parkes Elvis Fes­tival during the following days and times, Wednesday 7 January 2026: Wall of Fame 9.30am-10am, Friday 9 January 2026: Memphis Stage 9am-9.25am, Saturday 10 January 2026: Street Parade 9am, Cooke Park Main Stage 11.15am-11.30am and the Dance Showcase Cooke Park Main Stage 4pm.

“JAY DUPUIS is the most authentic tribute of Elvis’ concert years.” Image: ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES – GRACE­LAND – THE ESTATE OF ELVIS PRESLEY –

Jay Dupuis won Elvis Presley Enterprises Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, beat­ing out over 300 of the best Elvis Tributes from around the world.

Jay was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Growing up in a house where his father was a professional musician made it easy for Jay to follow in his Dads footsteps. It was no surprise that Jay had an ear for music.

At the early age of three, his mum played a record of Elvis Presley singing ‘Hound Dog’. As he listened, his eyes lit up, he smiled with excitement and his hips started to move. Begging his mum to play it over and over again, Jay soon became a huge fan of the King of Rock “n” Roll.

“Because of the love that I have for the king, I knew very early on in life that I want­ed to perform as Elvis. I would perform for guests that would come to our house and pretend to be Elvis. At the age of 3 or 4, I would perform for anyone, pretending to be Elvis at any given chance” Jay said.

Awarded the Most Authentic and Closest Thing To The King Award from Graceland, Jay Dupuis is the only Elvis Tribute Artist in the world hand picked to perform as Elvis with members of Elvis’ TCB Band.

2026 will be Jay’s first visit to the Parkes Elvis Festival, performing in eight main shows on the main stage at the Parkes Leagues Club “Pure Elvis”, “Down in The Jungle Room”, “If I Can Dream”, “Jukebox Heaven”, “That 70’s Show”, “Elvis After Dark”, “The Lost Performances” and “The Final Curtain”. Jay said “I’m extremely excited to be at the Parkes Elvis Festival, it is my first time being there. I’m excited to be performing for the Australian Elvis fans”.

Damian first performed at the Parkes Elvis Festival in 2010 and has come back every year since.

Often described as “a brilliant entertainer”, Damian Mullin is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most engaging live entertain­ers. With a natural stage presence and ex­ceptional musical ability, Damian connects with audiences of all ages wherever he performs.

Damian was just seven years old when he first heard Elvis sing on the radio. “My mum loved his music, and I was instantly capti­vated not only by his voice, but by the way people reacted to him. There was a sense of awe around Elvis: his looks, his sound, his presence.”

Standing 6’2” and delivering the unmis­takable voice, energy and humour of the King himself, Damian continues to tour ex­tensively with his acclaimed Elvis Forever Tribute Show, sharing his passion for Elvis and timeless music with audiences across Australia and beyond.

Performing for 16 years at the festival now, and every single one of those years Damian has been proudly performing at The Parkes Leagues Club where he is one of the main attractions. “That kind of loyalty comes easy when you’re treated as well as I have been. I absolutely love the au­diences, the electric atmosphere, and the chance to entertain Elvis fans who travel from all over the country. Seeing everyone singing along, smiling and having the time of their lives gives me enormous pleasure and that’s what keeps me coming back year after year”

“One thing that truly shines at the Parkes Elvis Festival is the incredible sense of community. It’s amazing to watch everyone come together to ensure the festival runs smoothly, especially the dedicated volun­teers who work tirelessly so every patron leaves with a positive and memorable ex­perience. I’ve had the privilege of watching the festival grow year after year, and it just keeps getting better. Well done, Parkes, you should be incredibly proud.” said Damian.

The Sydney Swing Katz either attend or perform at almost any and every “50s” nostalgia festival, but they said “Elvis has to be the biggest and most fun festival we attend.”

The Sydney Swing Katz are a professional dance troupe who dance and perform 40s and 50s style dances. At the ages of 17 and 18 respectively, in January 2020, the Sydney Swing Katz officially started their dance troupe with just four members.

Years later, the troupe has grown signifi­cantly and still enjoys performing together, always taking the opportunity to encourage the vintage style to bright young talent.

The Sydney Swing Katz love perform­ing at The Parkes Elvis Festival and have been coming back every year since 2019.

Justin Agustino Dipaola, one of the found­ing members of the troupe said that The Parkes Elvis Festival is “Easily one of the most fun, carefree, unique festivals running in NSW. Plus we have made good friends with the locals and the volunteers, they are always a highlight too.”

“The crowd plays a significant role in how we perform. The dancers will lift the energy and intensity as the crowd does, it’s this circular concept of the more they give the more we will too.”

There is an incredible amount of time and effort that goes into preparing such amazing and energetic dance routines.

“We usually train 3 days a week all year round, but for Parkes specifically we start creating ideas, costumes and routines in September, and the really serious training starts four to six weeks out when we try to fine tune everything and get fitter to per­form in the Parkes heat,” said Justin.

The Sydney Swing Kats will be perform­ing at the Amazing Forbes Street Break­fast again this year. Arrive early to see the troupe perform at 7.30am and in a more casual set around 9am. Otherwise you can catch them in Parkes on Friday, Memphis Stage 1.40pm and Main Stage 2pm. Then on Saturday, Memphis Stage 12.30pm and Main Stage 3pm.

Dancers entertain the crowd at the 2025 Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast.

Forbes is All Shook Up and ready to wel­come visitors for the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival! Elvis fans Love Me Tender, and we know you’ll fall head over heels for Forbes too.

Nestled on the banks of the Lachlan River in the heart of the Lachlan Valley, Forbes is a lively mix of fascinating history, natural beauty, and unmistakable country charac­ter. Take the time to explore a town shaped by its iconic gold-rush past, reflected in our magnificent heritage buildings and enriched by fabulous local businesses, and amazing attractions.

Kick off your Elvis weekend in true Forbes style at the Amazing Forbes Street Break­fast on Friday 9 January from 7am in Tem­plar Street. A chance to meet friendly locals, soak up the festive spirit and fuel up before heading to Parkes for the celebrations.

While you’re here, make sure you stop by the Forbes Visitor Information Centre. Pick up delicious local produce, quality merchan­dise and unique souvenirs, and chat with our knowledgeable tourism team who will enhance your stay with tailored recommen­dations, hidden local gems and tips to help you navigate your festival weekend.

To make the most of your stay in Forbes, check out www.amazingforbesnsw.com, call our friendly tourism team 02 6852 4155, or stop by the Forbes Visitor Information Centre at 46 Mary Street.”

We hope your stay is unforgettable, and that you’ll return to Viva Las Forbes again soon!

Parkes can get pretty hot, so when Sean isn’t performing you can catch him relaxing by the pool, recharging for his next show.

For Sean Luke Spiteri Elvis has always been a huge part of his life, and in 2025 he celebrated his 25 year anniversary as an Elvis Tribute Artist. “Not a day goes by in the week, when I don’t listen, or watch, or talk about Elvis,” said Sean Luke.

“My passion for Elvis actually started when I was about three years old. I’d watch his performances and something just clicked.

It was the 1968 Comeback Special, his energy, the voice, the cha­risma, he captivated me straight away.”

Born and raised in Melbourne, when Sean was young he would constantly perform for friends and family, but his first proper show didn’t happen until he was 12. He still remembers it clearly, “It was at the Copacabana International nightclub in Fitzroy. There were over 400 people in the crowd, and there I was, 12 years old, dressed in my first professional Elvis jumpsuit, doing a full show.

They even paid me $150 for the gig.”

“My first ever Parkes Elvis Festival was back in 2004 when I was 16, and over the years I’ve been lucky enough to experience just about everything there. I’ve performed on the Main Stage at Cooke Park in front of more than 5,000 people, had my own fea­tured shows at the Parkes Services Club, and performed in the main showroom at the Parkes Leagues Club. Parkes has given me so many special memories.”

Sean Luke Spiteri will be performing live at the Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast in Templar St Forbes, Friday 9 January from 8am8.45am, and at multiple locations across Parkes during the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Humphrey will available for photo opportunities on the day, so keep an eye out.

Humphrey B. Bear, the lovable and curious brown bear best known for his adventures on long-running Australian children’s television series Here’s Humphrey, will be premiering his brand-new live Elvis tribute show ‘All Shook Up with Humphrey B. Bear’ at the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival. A long-time fan of Elvis, Humphrey can’t wait to ‘shake, rattle and roar’ as he and friends perform their ‘bearyspecial’ all-singing-and-dancing tribute to the King of Rock and Roll on the Cooke Park main stage at 11am, Friday 9 January.

The show promises five popular Elvis songs, tied together with Humphrey’s trademark humour and playful discovery in a memora­ble storyline for all ages. Humphrey is also excited to be roaming the festival grounds performing awe-inspiring magic tricks and illusions from 9:45am. You can also meet Humphrey at the Parkes Library from 1pm – 1.30pm and 2:15pm – 2.45pm.

Follow along with Humphrey’s adventures on the official Hum­phrey B. Bear YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@officialhum­phreybbear or visit his website at www.humphreybbear.com

Dean Vegas has travelled the world but says “There is something special about performing in your home country (Australia).”

Dean Vegas grew up in Sydney’s housing commission area of Mt Druitt. He went to Dunheved High School and started his first job at the abattoirs in Sydney. He sang his first rendition of an Elvis song at his school play ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ where he performed ‘Rubberneckin’ which he has since added to his repertoire of Elvis songs.

Dean has since gone on to perform in Las Vegas, New Zealand, China, Sweden, Can­ada, Dubai, Norfolk Island, Lebanon, Malay­sia, and clubs and casinos across Australia.

Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis where Dean was given the key to the city by the Mayor of Tupelo. “That was an unbelievable feeling. I couldn’t believe that I was the first person in the world to receive the key after Elvis himself. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

This year at the Parkes Elvis Festival Dean will mainly be performing the MC work. “I am performing a 30 minute set on Saturday, and I will also be singing a cou­ple of Gospel songs on Sunday and I will be officiating the Elvis Wedding renewal on Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful couples there.”

“Parkes is being recognised all over the world. It’s an amazing festival and it keeps growing, it rates as one of the best in the world and that’s all credit to how the festival is run and to the Elvis fans that make it so special.” Dean said.

When Dean is not performing he organ­ises tours, where he takes people around the world. They travel while meeting new friends and seeing new destinations. So far, Dean has organised tours to the USA, Canada, China, Parkes Elvis Festival, Thai­land, Las Vegas, Norfolk Island. Tallangatta 50’s Festival, Port Pirie and Gracelands to name a few.