BATHURST trainer-driver Nathan Hurst is a great fan of the Carnival of Cups and the likeable horseman travels far and wide across the state to participate in the feature meetings.

But he believes the Parkes carnival, held over the festive season, is one of the best concepts of any with three race meetings conducted over a two-week period.

"I love all of the Carnival of Cups but Parkes having their meetings close together suits the way I think a carnival should be run," Hurst said.

"Tamworth follows a similar program and they are the two [carnivals] I really look forward to each year."

The 2011-12 season was a special one for Hurst as he took out the NSW Owners Association Carnival of Cups leading trainer and leading driver awards, and in the 2013-14 season his star pacer Smokin Bopper was named the Carnival of Cups leading horse.

All roads throughout the Western Districts and beyond will lead to Parkes on Monday, December 29 for the first of three race meetings which will set the scene for what will be another fantastic fortnight of racing.

The Carnival of Cups fixture on Friday, January 2 features the $15,000 Golden Bar Final for three-year-olds, with qualifying heats on December 29 to determine the field for the event.

Another feature on January 2 will be the time honoured Langlands Hanlon Sprint which carries stakes of $12,000 and has been won by some top horses in the past.

But the night that many look forward to is the Elvis Revival Festival meeting on Wednesday, January 7.

The Parkes Harness Racing Club has embraced the festival and is pleased to be part of providing the entertainment for the thousands of visitors who flock to Parkes each January.

Racing wise, the $10,000 Elvis Festival Final, two $10,000 heats of the Tabcorp Menangle Series and the final of the Medlyn's and Castrol Missile Sulky Series will all be races that will be attractive to owners and trainers.

As for Hurst, who reigns as the premier trainer and driver at Parkes, he has indicated he will be strongly supporting this year's carnival and will be a prominent player.

Local trainers such as Terry Powter, David Harris, Tom Ward, Andrew Cassell, Steve Dowton, Craig Rusten and Brett Hutchings are a likely presence at the carnival while Forbes trainer Jason Gaffney has indicated he will be there.