Jennings wants Bathurst to share in the Elvis Festival fun

At Wednesday night’s policy committee meeting, he told Bathurst Regional Council that it should find ways to promote the city as tourists pass through on their way to Parkes each January for the festival. 

He as already spoken to the Elvis Festival organisers to see how feasible Bathurst’s involvement would be. 

Although he admits it would be a difficult thing to bring to fruition, one of Cr Jennings’ ideas is for council to somehow coordinate one of the public trains to stop in Bathurst for 20 to 30 minutes.

During this time, a “select group” of passengers could disembark and take a brief tour of the first two blocks of Keppel Street. 

“I think that could actually enhance their journey, give them a break and create a bit of activity in our town,” Cr Jennings said.

He would also like to see a driver reviver site established on days people commonly travel to the festival to encourage them to stop in Bathurst. 

However, he said there would need to be more than just the usual tea, coffee and biscuits to make the stop worthwhile.

“I do think there might be some value in setting up some sort of Elvis Festival driver reviver, given that Bathurst is virtually halfway from Sydney,” Cr Jennings said. 

“Whether or not we can have an Elvis driver reviver of some sort, perhaps at Morse Park with a range of other market stalls or business appropriate on the days that are dedicated to when most people travel.

“Give them a reason to stop, have a cup of tea or coffee and look at what Bathurst has to offer.”

Finally, Cr Jennings’ asked for there to be a dedicated bus from Bathurst to Parkes on the appropriate days, like what is offered by Orange and Cowra.

“They seem to be a pretty good way of supporting the event from outside of the event,” he said. 

The Elvis Festival is held in Parkes over five days each year in early January and has more than 150 individual events scheduled across that time.