2023 Parkes Elvis Festival Feedback
Dear Ken, Parkes Festival and NSW Trains
A huge thank you - to each and everyone involved in creating the best Elvis Festival to date - celebrating 30 years of this incredible world class event.
You all worked together like an orchestra creating beautiful music.?
Everyone I spoke to - all said exactly the same “this festival was absolutely perfect,?best one yet,?greatest time ever.”
Thank you for all your very hard work and for listening / implementing?mine and many others suggestions over the years.
The city of Parkes is always impeccably clean, with beautifully manicured gardens, filled with flowers and lush green parks. Please thank all your staff.
Your many volunteers make this Festival extraordinary and exceptional, please give them a huge thank you. This is my nineth Elvis Festival- once you attend you are hooked for life - it is pure joy and fun, filled with the loveliest people.
I thought this would be a very short epistle with very few suggestions - am sure you would be very disappointed if it was. Long as usual
Elvis Express XPT Train
It was a pleasure to meet Rob prior to departure and to catch up with Howard on the train. Thank you for all your hard work in restoring this year’s Elvis Express Train back to a Premier, Exciting and Fun Service
A big thank you to NSW Trains for ensuring the Elvis XPT Express Train ran, when all other trains were cancelled due to line maintenance.
So very happy no weighing in of bags - just put our luggage on trolley?when we checked in.
Thrilled with our train tickets we sat all together – there was 9 of us.
Love the naming of each of the carriages?- very creative matching the Elvis Festival theme.
Very happy we could leave all our decorations on the train as the train remained in Parkes for the duration of the Festival.
Lovely to have 5 carriages filled with passengers?-?the excitement has returned on the Elvis Express train – this was completely lost since 2018, with only 3 train carriages of passengers, that were half empty.?
The Elvis Express Train is what attracts the global media coverage with a staggering 599 million reach and 611 million social media reach
I hope with the train tickets going on sale in March, we will have another full train - returning to 8 carriages, which is what we had in 2017.
This is the very first time the whole train was decorated by NSW Trains - thank you so very much - such a very warm welcome for every passenger - loved all the pictures thru-out the carriages and the sparkly decorations hanging off the ceilings throughout the carriages
So many passengers decorated their carriages which made it absolutely phenomenal
A great selection of food on the train,?the glasses of wine were very popular
Enjoyed the complimentary tea and cheesecake to Parkes
Enjoyed the complimentary biscuits on the return train trip
All your staff were so helpful and kind
Wonderful we had the Exclusive use of the Elvis Express train on the return journey to Sydney, with no additional?stops nor carriages for passengers.
???? Water bottles in front of every seat would be a bonus on the Elvis Express train – which has been provided previously
??? Please advise all hotels, motels, buses, taxis -?time of arrival and departure of Elvis XPT train in Parkes – passengers can arrange late check out with their motels / hotels
??? Please advise Sydney taxis the Elvis Express train return time?so there are taxis waiting for us - I rang Taxis 132 227 to ask them to send out a message there were many passengers waiting for a taxi at 10.45pm
Provide Uninterrupted Mobile Phone Coverage on the Elvis Express Train, which is available on all Sydney Trains
???? Train has Eftpos so why can’t we have wifi for everyone on the train for our mobiles,?every single passenger would be so thrilled to have this coverage provided,?
??? So we can post up on social media our joy and excitement of the Elvis Express XPT Festival Train Departure Party at Central and the fabulous entertainment and fun we enjoy on the train ride to Parkes
Program
Love the program - so well organised easy to find everything
Love the cotton program bag
Love the foldable flyer programs – brilliant for our handbags,?no need to carry our programs with us, no need for signs with details of the day’s events
Love the goodies in the bag – wonderful they change each year
Love the lanyard for the bus service with the photo of this year’s theme
Love the many free events?to choose from
Dancing demonstrations are absolutely fabulous
Love promotion of regional events to attend throughout the year
Very impressed with all the bus timetables to Forbes and Peak Hill -Parkes
Very impressed with the map of Parkes,?Forbes including details of retail shops
Loved the new events eg Hawaiian Luau at Forbes Lake and the Hawaiian Pool Party at Parkes Pool
Thank you for mentioning Carers access to shows with their companion's cards?- their entry is free
HARs Aviation Museum Parkes
Did not know HARS Aviation Museum existed until I saw the float in the street parade.
?? Promote HARs aviation museum Parkes with a bus service.
?? HARS?should be in the street parade every year to create visibility to attract more visitors to their amazing museum.
??? Festival Theme Movie be shown Thursday night 7.30 pm in the Generosity Church – could not see it, as there were other events we wanted to attend that clashed with it.?Always loved watching it the night we arrive, to set the mood and scene of the weekend
So Very cute the little ones all dressed up too
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Merchandise
Very happy shops had Elvis rings for sale for a reasonable price
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?? 30th anniversary of the Elvis Festival?there were no items to purchase celebrating?30 years?
??? Certificates and novelty items with Attended Elvis Festival, including stickers for cars -??5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years?
Bought a friend Vicki Mavro an Elvis Gnome to acknowledge and celebrate with her, her 20th attendance at the Elvis Festival.?
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Thank you John Collins for providing a beautiful book to her to celebrate this milestone on the return train.
???? Townsfolk shop keepers should know in advance the next theme for the following years so they can prepare with their ordering?of merchandise
? Nicky May's dressmaker had made a jail rock costume by chance which was on display, but did not know the theme for next year,?she had quite a few orders for her jail house rock costume for next year.
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?? “Attend the Parkes Elvis Festival - you are hooked for life” - stickers for cars – would be proud to have this on my car and encourage others to attend. Be good to have a new design every year and can update my sticker every year.
??? Be nice to see Elvis belts sold too – reasonably priced
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Infrastructure updates
Love the lights up the tree trunks and branches in both Clarinda st and Cooke Park.
The ball lights in blue, white and gold in the roundabouts trees on Clarinda St absolutely stunning
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??? Need more lights up the trees along Clarinda St and in Cooke Park
??? Need shade area for entertainers on the right-hand side of the stage where the vip tent is
??? Big canopy instead of sails in front of the stage?- the sails do not provide enough shade as the sun moves
??? More shade sails in front of stage Cooke Park, as one section was full of sun with all empty seats
??? Yellow bins for recycling bottles and cans, next to all rubbish bins, as the recycling cages are not well used
Mobile Service
??? Lousy intermittent?mobile and internet service cannot cope with so many visitors?- Telstra infrastructure needs to be increased to cope
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Bus Service
??? Please provide services on Monday with train departure
??? Need bus service to HARs museum
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?Taxi
?Flat rate $10 anytime in Parkes brilliant
??? Flat rate taxi?for Forbes nice to know
??Memphis Stage
?Absolutely brilliant, attracts so many to watch the shows and to shop
??? Need a very large tent for patrons to sit under and enjoy the many shows on the for Memphis stage
??? Memphis stage more tents and seats for others to watch and enjoy
领英推荐
Thank you for showcasing the regional high school bands.
?High school bands absolutely incredible music,?so very professional
?Fantastic supporting?the regional high school groups to start their careers
Photography Competition Suggestions
Why cut back on photos that are on display and provide no refreshments ????-?Mean spirited
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?? Disappointing No refreshments nor drinks at the photography awards Friday 4 pm –always been provided -?organise a sponsor to provide these
??? Showed far more photos in previous years with all walls covered in photos for everyone to enjoy.?Never culled and never should be !?
? People are very disappointed when their photos are not on the walls for everyone to admire.?It’s all about participating and having fun.?
? The cost of printing photos is next to nothing – organise a sponsor so all photos entered are on display
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Memorabilia Exhibition - World Class
Loved memorabilia exhibition from Bendigo and Elvis movie items
Loved all the previous programs to admire and the many photos from over the years
Very interesting documentary with various key figures interviewed
Volunteers so very kind with much knowledge
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?Cafes
??? Paragon Café closed at 3pm on Saturday afternoon,?loads of customers were turned away – perhaps hire some staff from Orange for the Elvis Weekend.?Should be open till 6pm Friday and Saturday.
Street Parade
?Fabulous as always, volunteers so kind in registering to participate
?? Need?Music Speakers where cars and floats line up before the parade begins -?you have speakers at the Parkes train station for arrival and departure to create atmosphere
? Very exciting time admiring everyone’s clothes, cars and floats – would create such an amazing atmosphere with music playing in the background
??? We need consistent Music along?the entire street parade,?adds enormous atmosphere, this has been done in previous years and was sensational, please return it.
??? If it is very hot - you need water stops to be provided for street walkers along the parade – next year they are predicting a very hot summer
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Gospel service
Wonderful to see Reverend Tom Stuart of Uniting who started the gospel service 21 years ago in spite of his church community not wanting it
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?? Reverend speaks too long and rambles on too much
??? Gospel singers from overseas were greatly missed
??? Organise for Black gospel singers on screen if they cannot attend in person
??? Local choirs sing gospel
??? Tribute Artists sing at the Gospel service
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Finale Show - absolute perfection
World class show you would see in New York, Las Vegas or London - felt like we were in Las Vegas with Elvis - the atmosphere?was absolutely spectacular
John Collins is our perfect MC he embodies the Elvis Festival with his passion and knowledge. He is very beloved by everyone,?he always makes an outstanding contribution to our Festival.??
?Tributes in Concert Band -?incredible world class band - loved the included horn section - created a big band sound. Their vocalist who sang “O sole Mio” had a magnificent voice
The lighting of the show was sensational – a truly gifted lighting expert
Love the giant fans in the corners - brilliant addition?kept us all cool and comfortable.
?Loved there was space for us to dance on either side of the stage
Elvis Jet Suggestion
John Travolta donated his Boeing 707 to HARs Albion Park perhaps he can assist
Perhaps find similar jet - same vintage / model like Elvis one to purchase and restore for the HARS museum Parkes
Some pictures of the Jet that Elvis owned that was sold – am hoping Greg Page might have bought it - the purchaser information is not available
Bob and Anne Steel who started the Parkes Elvis Festival 30 years ago with their daughter Tiffany Steel who is the Festival Director.
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Suggestions First timers' tips on Elvis Festival website
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?? Ring around all motels and hotels for accommodation for cancellations
??? Comfortable shoes
??? Hat
??? Bring portable power bank for your mobile – cannot charge your mobile on the train
Many thanks again for all your hard work, for taking the time to read and consider my many suggestions and I can’t wait to attend next year
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Kind regards
Deanna Mastellone
My Previous annual epistles since 2014 all include photos
2022
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
This year will return to my global carers mission and pursue my dream to speak at the United Nations
Please sign and share my petition for a National Carers Card
My speech at the Royal Commission Round Table 27 September 2018
My speech at the Royal Commission 6 March 2019 over almost 7,200 views
My speech in Rome at my first global dementia conference 15 October 2019 over 5,600 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
Carers Cheat Sheet when first diagnosed with Dementia
Will be going live very soon with my Carers Are Angels website with all my tips, links, and strategies for every government to implement.
Director Skills Excellence Network - Construction & Energy
1 年Tiffany Steel some lovely feedback on the festival