2022 Parkes Elvis Festival Feedback
Dear Elvis Festival and Senior Executives of?NSW Trains
As always we had an amazing time at the Festival.
The local community and Council of Parkes have all worked so very hard for 29 years creating the most amazing world class biggest Elvis festival in the world for us all to enjoy. Thank you to each and every one of you, for all your hard work, it is very much appreciated. Once you attend, we are hooked for life - as it is pure joy and fun. We have a wonderful Japanese crew who attend every year, they fly over just to attend the Elvis Express and Parkes Elvis Festival.
The government has funded a new permanent world class stage in Cooke Parke and upgraded Clarinda Street for the annual Parkes Elvis Festival.
We now need to match this with a fully restored permanently annually funded Special Festival Elvis Express train service of 8 carriages !!!!!!
The Cooke Park Pavilion was officially opened on Monday 8 November 2021 by The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, alongside Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith, fellow councillors, staff and community members.
Cooke Park Pavilion forms part of the $8.5 million Main Street Revitalisation Project which also included the upgrade of Lower Clarinda Street which was completed late last year. The project was jointly funded by Parkes Shire Council and the Australian Government contributing $4.2 million.
The magnificent new permanent stage in Cooke Park is world standard – thank you, for all your hard work in making this happen.?The updated streetscape along Clarinda Street is amazing.?Love the lights going up the trees along this very famous street, it just looks magical
As always I spoke to others for their suggestions which are included. It is a labour love, I write down many notes throughout the Festival and ask others attendees for their suggestions. Then organizing it all under headings and selecting the photos, all takes much time. Each year I am always so thrilled that most of these suggestions are implemented and are enjoyed by all. As you know I have been writing my annual epistles since 2014. They are never to criticize the fabulous Elvis Festival and Elvis Express train only to provide constructive suggestions to make the festival and train an amazing experience for all attendees, staff and locals. To ensure it gets better every year and remains on everyone's bucket list.
Knew you would appreciate this accolade and acronym I heard on the train –
BMITW -?Ken Keith - Best Man in the World
Elvis Express XPT Train
Thank you for the later departure 7am instead of 6 am
Plenty of food and drinks on train, with decent toilet paper - thank you
When we arrived in Parkes, we loved the black and white leis in keeping with the Speedway theme to warmly welcome us all?and were?given to every single passenger
Excellent choice of dinner meals, to pre-order on the return train trip to Sydney. Staff looked after us all very well
Pure joy being serenaded on the Elvis Express return train journey to Parkes.
Disappointed
NSW Trains Management were not visible supporting the train send off, as they have been at every previous year - we missed you all - normally there are a number executives who come to see the train depart
Could not hear any train announcements
Train announcement Dubbo service thank you for boarding our train not Elvis XPT ??
We were all very disappointed it was Dubbo service with Dubbo crew not a special chartered Elvis train.
Normally there is a ballot for staff to be selected to crew this fabulous world famous train.
Previously every year, crew on train are always dressed up including the train driver in cloak and wig
Only decorations on train were in the buffet carriage, 2020 we had decorations provided by NSW trains.
Ridiculous train left Parkes 2 pm arriving in Sydney 9 pm Monday night with many going to work next day, it was just?too late -?not all?attendees are retirees
Old vintage train OHS disaster waiting to happen, we don’t want this back
Did not advise on arrival in Parkes - this train returns to general service
Why were we not advised of this ??? We would have removed all our decorations.?
All our hand-made decorations and fairy lights were removed and thrown out
The Elvis Express train is always sold out in minutes ( except in 2018 when NSW trains was going to cancel this world famous train, not on my watch and 2019 when the train tickets were too expensive)
In previous years we were told to remove them, then we were told we could leave them on the train as the Elvis Express would remain in Parkes for the duration of the Festival .
Please ensure your train staff are advised on any event train, to not throw our decorations left on trains with the exception of balloons and streamers.
Pure joy, fun, laughter and song on the Elvis Express train journey to Parkes
The Blues Bros boys
Return train to Sydney – normal service – not Elvis Express Service
Disappointed with our return XPT train to Sydney - no decorations, little music.
Didn’t announce going to Orange to collect other passengers, travelling backwards, no announcements
Suggestions
Next year is 30 years for the Parkes Elvis festival we hope NSW Transport and the Australian State and Federal Governments will be very supportive of the Elvis Express train as they were from 2003 to 2017. With a permanently annually funded train with 8 carriages, 68 seats per carriage, 544 passengers, 2 buffet cars and 2 engines with every seat filled.
I hope in the future we will always have an annually permanently funded specific special Elvis Express Festival Train Service.
If the Bar is open at 11am on the train, will make lots of money with alcohol sales - we don’t get drunk – we are just there to have a fabulous time.
Have sleeper carriages for attendees to sleep in for the duration of the festival, would be very well patronised. There is never enough accommodation.?25,000 attend in a town of 12,000.
Please return water bottle in back of seat
Previously had little wine bottle with glass to purchase, please return these
Please have small bottles of champagne to purchase
We loved the Elvis cup cakes in 2017 – hope to see those again
The carriage closest to the buffet car, when we are being entertained?by the Tribute Artists?for 20 minutes?- announce on the train -?please do not go through this carriage to the buffet.?It’s awful having many wade through the entertainers to the buffet and returning with their food from the other carriages. Perhaps put signs up on the train doors and at the buffet.
Festival Program
Absolutely brilliant program well done team
Sensational love the events and locations index, so much easier to find information
Canvas bag and Calendar very nice
Love the Phoenix Newspaper?-?special edition in our motel room brilliant idea
Suggestions
Street map and how far to certain areas eg 10 mins walk
In the program there is no mention of the announcement of street parade winners, what time and where
Should be listed p 37 should list when winners announced location and time
Should have it included in daily calendar and competitions on page 35
Clarity of winners of street parade no announcement on main stage was announced on Sunday - previously contacted
No one knows who won - did not know Ken Keith and John Collins
So lovely to see local children dressed up, enjoying the Elvis Festival so it will continue
Bus service suggestion
Need street bench outside Parkview motel whilst waiting for bus
Ask the motels who have Elvis bus stops outside their door,??to put out chairs with an umbrella on a stand, for attendees to sit and wait under the shade for the bus
Cooke Park
Love the recycling bin at both ends of park at Clarinda st - should be one next to all bins like in Sydney with a yellow comingle bin
Love the music on the stage, straight after the gospel service
Love tables and chairs under round shade area with food tents close by absolutely brilliant
Love the cyclamens and pansies violas, red geraniums around the water feature in the garden
Heard a whisper Elvis committee considering closing CookePark charging entry fee - this will be the end of the festival - that is being GREEDY !!! We won’t come, we pay enough to attend, accommodation, food, transport, fuel, and shopping.
Suggestion
Signs in park on events that day were not updated
Cooke Park Food Vendors
Love the Greek Food and Dutch pancakes
What we missed?-?No pizza, Wendy’s and hamburgers
Movie Thursday night in Cooke Park
Understood with the first year of your magnificent world class new stage you wanted to showcase it. Please return the movie being shown in Cooke Park, as it is always absolutely packed with such a magical atmosphere, we have access to food and drinks as well as chairs.?The oval, we don’t have blankets, chairs, food etc
Events
Suggestion
Elvis tribute artists competition should be held in Cooke Park like they used?- to not in the Leagues club so we can all see and encourage young artists
Elvis Central
Thank you for Elvis festival car stickers
Love 123 tix outside Elvis central to purchase tickets to the many shows
Street Parade
Absolutely sensational with so many amazing vintage cars to admire
Best dressed streetwalkers winners
Suggestions
City to Surf Sydney has water table stations and we need these just for the street walkers, when the weather is very hot in January.
Never Fail Dubbo water contact them to come to Parkes Elvis festival?and sponsor the street parade walkers with water
Street parade music on loud speakers consistent all along parade doesn’t need to be very loud so we can all sing and dance together
Register for Street Parade – very difficult this year
Need to be able Register for street parade outside Elvis Central Clarinda St with staff who have iPads
Could not access website - terrible internet service
Went to register at Cooke Park cannot help you -?they sent me to?the volunteers cottage where they helped me register online
For the following reasons Parkes Elvis Festival must remain being held in January.
It lacked atmosphere this year, it did not have the usual magic.
In January Clarinda St is full of music, life laughter and fun, everything is open. All the staff in shops get dressed up in matching outfits and all the windows of shops are decorated.
These were the only shops I noticed who were all decorated this year
The Elvis Custard Tarts from a bakery close to Cooke Park were extremely popular - well done
In January most businesses are either closed or have skeleton staff - the crowds are far bigger
There are far more dressed up street walkers in the street parade.
Why because so many more are on holidays.
Not nearly as many attendees in April - many were first timers who hate the heat.
There is much shade, water misters in Cooke Parke to help those who suffer from the heat. Or go to one of the many clubs / pubs to cool off in their air-conditioning.
Saturday afternoon after the street parade - Clarinda St shops were all closed - it was dead. The Memphis stage held the fashion parades which was so much fun with many participants and music.
The best dressed winner is our Beautiful Gail - always the best dressed at every Festival
In April it was just too cold at night to be out enjoying Cooke Park shows - we didn’t attend any
Saw some market stalls closing late afternoon, because they were cold and little patronage
Noticed few in Cooke Park at night - not comfortable being out in the cold
Very cold in the morning - it was cold at the Gospel service - thankfully I had a puffer jacket to keep me warm
领英推荐
Parkes Food, Pubs and Clubs
Pub corner opposite train station limited menu and no desserts
Clubs no desserts?
No vegetables
Very Limited menus
Suggestions
eg pavlova, cheesecake, apple pie and ice cream, chocolate cake
We need vegetarian dishes
Bigger selection of dishes to choose from eg pasta, salads, quiche, fish and chips
Photography Competition
So happy the photography competition has returned to the library
Suggestion
Have projector to show winners photos on the wall - for us all to admire?- borrow projector from Orange for the Festival
A few of the many amazing photos on display at the annual photo competition on display at the Library
Clarinda Street
Love the street fairy lights up the trees along Clarinda st
Love the fashion parade with prizes
Love the new street signage - a huge hit with all attendees
Suggestions Memphis stage
Should list daily events - so we all know what’s next - nothing listed
Need more shade and chairs near stage in Clarinda St
Locals all dressed up enjoying the Elvis Festival
Internet
Internet service shocking this year
I complained to Telstra re Parkes lack of service over Elvis weekend
Our amazing guest speaker Victoria Paige Meyerink who played Ellie Esterlake the little girl from the Film Speedway
Guest speaker who knew and worked with Elvis
Fascinating talking to Victoria she was so happy to talk to us and answer our many questions about Elvis and the filming of Speedway. Loved her story about the hot dogs with Elvis playing on set - she would be wonderful to have as a guest next year
Elvis touring Security manager knew Elvis - love to hear their stories and ask questions
Gospel service
Love the chosen charities children ministry and flood appeal
Magic in Cooke Park always packed and enjoyed by all
Suggestion
Not as good as previous years with choirs and black soul singers from the US
Ultimate's Show
Love the new very comfortable navy blue seats in the front of the auditorium
Love there was room for people to dance
Very disappointed with Ultimate's Show nothing like previous spectacular shows
Jeff Lewis MC from USA, Talked way too much - all about himself, Too much America, me, me, I I I, Tupelo, his parents
His after party was a dud $80 for nothing no music, little food, no drinks
Don’t like Jeff Lewis green monster t shirts on all the crew on stage not Elvis
Inappropriate he asked for a Standing ovation for someone we don’t know - I refused to stand up
Disappointed Taylor Rodriguez dressed in Civi clothes
Not interested in no- Elvis songs Jesus song by band
Completely Inappropriate his band sang last couple of songs
Finale extremely disappointed - worst show ever in 8 years - always spectacular till this one
Suggestions
Please return?John Collins as MC?-?he is focused on the music of Elvis and artists
Show normally finishes 11.30pm this one finished at 10.30pm usually 3 or 4 encores with all the tribute artists
No opportunity to meet tribute artists after show,?who had many souvenir scarfs specially made to hand out to fans
Additional Festival Suggestions
Medal winners need to be announced and list all -
Roland Storm should be on the Wall of fame
Toki should be up for the Wall of fame
Media Coverage
My Facebook group?-?Parkes Elvis Festival XPT Train Group - has over 550 followers.??I post up regularly positive articles on Elvis from the global media.?
The following media post many stories on Elvis?throughout the year
Express.co uk?
Thesun.co uk
Daily express?
The southern voice?
Vogue.com.au?
Pitchfork?
Screenrant?
Cheat sheet.com?
Idvice. Com?
American songwriter?
Herald sun .com.au?
USmagazine?
Ultimate classic rock?
Faroutmagazine.com.uk?
Suggestions
Elvis Festival needs a media expert to promote globally throughout the year - the Elvis Express train and Festival?to these media outlets listed above.
Media April 2022?Here are all the media posts I found on google and YouTube?
Parkes Champion post?
The Guardian global media?
National Review?
ABC?
Reuters?
Parkes Elvis Facebook post?
Studio 10?
Stuff NZ?
Win news ch 7?
Nine news?
Wion news?
New York Times
Farewell till next year at the Parkes train station
Thank you for taking the time to read my annual Elvis epistle and consider the many suggestions.
We count down the days till we return to the best Elvis Festival in the world and hope we will have a permanently annually?funded world class Elvis Express train.
Many thanks
Kind Regards
Deanna Mastellone
My Previous annual epistles since 2014 all include photos
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Next year will return to my global carers mission and pursue my dream to speak at the United Nations
My speech at the Royal Commission 6 March 2019 over 6,850 views
My speech in Rome at my first global dementia conference 15 October 2019 over 5,300 views
?Search with?- Deanna Mastellone speech Rome 15 10 2019
My Final Submission Nov 2020 to the Royal Commission for Aged Care recommendations, which did zero for carers