Elvis Express rolls to celebrate the King

Elvis may have left the building almost 40 years ago, but he and several clones have just arrived on a train chugging into Parkes railway station from Sydney, marking the start of the 25th Parkes Elvis Festival in the southeastern Australian town.

For five days in early January, "the King of Rock 'n' Roll" lives on in this celebration of all things Elvis, including a tribute contest, a Miss Priscilla look-alike competition, a parade and gala dinner, and even a renewal of vows ceremony presided over by Elvis himself.

This year, the iconic festival is themed after Elvis' classic 1964 film Viva Las Vegas, with fans donning not only rhinestone-studded jumpsuits and their best wigs, but also sequins and feathers, as buskers entertain the crowds.