REX - Regional Express

rexcommunity "The town is enlivened with Elvis impersonators and tribute artists on virtually every stage and street corner." aloha parkes! Top to bottom: Festival feature artist Dean Z with partner, Stephanie; Miss Priscilla 2013, Eliza Fisher, with Rex First Officer Hayden Benisch (L) and Rex Captain Tony Young (R); a festival-goer dancing with 'Elvis'. The warmth of island hospitality was felt by visitors attending the annual Parkes Elvis Festival from 9–13 January 2013, as this year's theme was Aloha Hawaii. For several years, Rex has been a major sponsor of the event, supplying complimentary tickets, a promotional airfare for those attending the event, as well as scheduling extra flights on the busier days. The festival, first held in 1993 to boost visitor numbers to Parkes in the heat of January, is now held over five days in the second week of the year (which coincides with Elvis' birthday on 8 January). Parkes is definitely 'all shook up' at this time of the year, with the 2013 festival attracting so many visitors that the town's population doubled for the duration of the event. Elvis fans come from across Australia and overseas to experience and participate in the festival. It's jam-packed with activities and performances, from Sunday's Elvis Gospel Church Service and Crowning of Miss Priscilla to the highlight of the festival: the Elvis Street Parade. During the event, the town is enlivened with Elvis impersonators and tribute artists on virtually every stage and street corner. This year, visitors and Parkes residents were entertained by artist American Dean Z, and got the chance to experience an array of activities including concerts in Cooke Park, market stalls and the hotly contested Elvis look-alike competition. Miss Priscilla 2013 even made an appearance at Parkes airport to have her photograph taken with the Rex aircraft, crew and ground staff. Festival organisers are already making plans for 2014, when the theme will be Kissin' Cousins. XIII

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