Swathed in a metallic gold jumpsuit encrusted with rhinestones, "Bollywood Elvis" struck a pose in the middle of Sydney's Central Station.
Born in Mumbai, Alfred Vaz says his family were big fans of Elvis Presley - the man dubbed the king of rock and roll.
"You won't believe how many people in India are Elvis fans," Mr Vaz told AAP on Thursday.
Mr Vaz, who now lives in Denistone, was among hundreds of Elvis tribute artists, lookalikes and fans who flooded Central Station on Thursday ahead of their seven-hour trip west for the 28th Parkes Elvis Festival.
The performer - runner-up in the festival's senior tribute artist competition in 2018 - was wearing a custom-made gold jumpsuit from India.
Presley, who died in 1977, was "released to us for a very short time," Mr Vaz said.
"I don't call him the king, I call him the emperor - the king of kings. His music is going to live for centuries."
Some 27,000 people descended on Parkes for the 2019 event, doubling the regional town's population for the duration of the five-day festival.
A dedicated train - dubbed the Elvis Express - left Central Station before 8.30am amid much fanfare, including live performances and dancers.
Second-generation Elvis impersonator Anthony Fenech, 24, has been performing for about two years and his father has been an Elvis tribute artist for more than 20 years, touring the US, Asia and Europe.
"I was actually helping my dad, we had a touring company ... and I guess I got sick of being behind the scenes and people just kept saying, you need to get up and do it," Mr Fenech told AAP.
The pair have done a number of shows together, including on a cruise ship.
"People loved it, the whole father and son thing - it's actually never been done anywhere in the world," Mr Fenech said.
Mr Fenech and his father also compete against each other.
"He's teaching me the ropes, he's a great mentor and hopefully I'll get past him soon," he said.
Dolled up in a Priscilla Presley-style black wig, pink cat-eye sunglasses and a Pink Ladies jacket, Nola Bugeja said the festival was on her bucket list.
Three of Ms Bugeja's work colleagues joined her in matching outfits.
"I'm (of) the era of Elvis and Chuck Berry, so I do love rock'n'roll music ... I think we'll have great fun," Ms Bugeja told AAP.
Draped in a powder-blue jumpsuit with silver studs, Parkes Shire Council mayor Ken Keith said he wears half a dozen outfits during the festival.
"Everyone just loves Elvis and Parkes is just the friendliest town in Australia," Mr Keith told AAP.
Australian Associated Press
