“I take pleasure in announcing that our major Parkes community event celebrating the King of Rock 'n' Roll™ is now endorsed by agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis, Tennessee,” Mayor Keith said.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), based at Graceland in Memphis, approves worldwide licensing rights for Elvis-related festivals and live events. Festival organisers believe the relationship will assist the growth of the festival by drawing on the knowledge and global reach of EPE and its affiliates.

“The Festival is delighted to be entering into a mutually beneficial licensing arrangement with EPE that will take the Festival to new heights” said Mayor Keith.

Elvis Presley Enterprises Vice President of Marketing Gary Hahn welcomed the licensing arrangements.

“Parkes Elvis Festival is a tremendous celebration of the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and we are proud to have this as an officially sanctioned event, representing Australia’s love for all things Elvis,” he said.

Parkes Elvis Festival runs for five days annually each January to coincide with Elvis Presley's birthday on January 8.

Parkes Elvis Festival was founded 23 years ago by local restaurateurs and keen Elvis fans Bob and Anne Steel.

In 2015 over 18,000 people will descend on Parkes to celebrate the King’s 80th birthday.

The population of Parkes, a regional town in central New South Wales, trebles in size across the Festival week.

“It is a natural progression that the Festival forms a formal relationship with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

In Australia, when people think Elvis, they think Parkes. We look forward to developing our relationship with EPE into the future,” Mayor Keith said.