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Organisers of the Parkes Elvis Festival have expressed disappointed at the new dates announced for the Tamworth Country Music Festival after its postponement as a result of health restrictions to contain the Omicron variant.

Set to run after the Easter weekend, from 18th to 24th April, the new dates for the Tamworth Country Music Festival clash with the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The scheduling means some suppliers and artists may have to choose between the two festivals.

Parkes Elvis Festival Director, Tiffany Steel told The Northern Daily Leader “(the clash is) really disappointing, because we kept them in the loop in our decision-making when we cancelled last year and when we made the decision to move our festival to April.

“I think everyone’s quite taken aback and quite shocked at the announcement, we’ve had a number of phone calls … from market stall holders and people that just can’t believe the decision - we are a bit shocked and very disappointed.”

Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Russell Webb said he understood the disappointment from Parkes, but advised “unfortunately it simply could not be avoided.

“I am confident the two can successfully co-exist on this occasion, because we know the pandemic has led to an increase in the number of Australians who want to holiday close to home.

“Parkes does not need to worry - there is enough difference between the two events to appeal to different audiences.”

Tamworth Country Music Festival is hoping to recoup some of the money it has already spent on advertising its original January dates. Organisers spent $400,000 on advertising before postponing the event and are hoping to be compensated by the NSW Government’s $43 million Event Saver Fund.

Image courtsy of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

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