All heart: Elvis, Cowboys and love at Australia's iconic Parkes Elvis Festival parade

Dressed in their lacquered wigs, rhinestone embellished jumpsuits, love and country themed outfits, hundreds took to the streets of the regional town of Parkes on Saturday (January 10) to celebrate the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley.

With the 2026 theme of the Festival Elvis' classic movie 'Love Me Tender' where he made his acting debut in 1956 and saw him playing the youngest of four brothers in the western drama set after the civil war, many dressed in cowboy and country and western inspired costumes with floats decorated with hay bales and cowboy hats.

"If you look out along the side of the road you'll see the saloon, you'll see horses, you'll see a lot of hay going around at the moment and a lot of happy people," parade participant dressed as Elvis, Graham Lawrence told Reuters from the marshalling area. 

Participants walked the route, paraded in decorated floats, classic cars and a tractor celebrating the classic film while others choose the love theme with hearts sprinkled through the parade.

With temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), the parade started an hour earlier to allow for people to enjoy the event without the searing temperatures.

The Parkes Elvis Festival will finish on Sunday (January 11).

-Stefica Bikesh/Reuters