Gail Richardson
When did you get involved with the Parkes Elvis Festival? I started back in 2007 as an Elvis Revival Inc committee member, and also served as vice-president and president.
Which year was your favourite festival and why? To be honest all have been great, from when the committee was running it to now. For an Elvis fan it is the perfect festival to be involved with and I have truly enjoyed it.
What is your fondest memory of the Parkes Elvis Festival? Fondest memories were of just standing in the middle of Cooke Park and watching all the visitors’ faces and seeing all the smiles. Knowing we had put together another successful festival.
What has the festival meant for our community? I think it’s really important as it helps kick start small businesses at the beginning of the year, which then has a two or three-fold back onto other businesses. It also puts a wonderful spotlight on our town from all over the world even if it’s just for five days. It really does help to promote our town.
What is your favourite Elvis song? I have two: If I Can Dream and Edge of Reality.
Elvis Lennox
When did you get involved with the Parkes Elvis Festival? I joined the Elvis Revival Inc committee with my wife Deb in 1994, the year after the very first festival. We received lifetime membership after ten years, and both of us served as president.
Which year was your favourite festival and why? The first one – as an Elvis fan I will never forget the thrill and excitement. I was just great as there were never any Elvis-related shows happening before the festival.
What is your fondest memory of the Parkes Elvis Festival? Making jumpsuits with my wife for the first five years. She did all the sewing and I did the designs. As Elvis fans, we really bonded doing that.
What has the festival meant for our community? It helped Parkes to boom and it put our town on the map. People have come here from all over the world, and many of them have visited my private museum. They have left such wonderful comments in my visitor’s book. I plan to reopen my museum for next year’s festival.
What is your favourite Elvis song? Little Sister – I like the story it is based on.