Geelong’s biggest party the Pako Festa returns to the streets of West Geelong on Saturday the 23rd of February for the 37th annual celebration of multiculturalism with an expected 100,000 people expected to attend.
The Pako Festa is on of Australia’s great events and one of the biggest multicultural events in this country with around 60 cultural groups spanning six continents taking part in this day of music, food,
dance and fun.
This highlight of the day is the traditional parade, beginning at 11:00 AM here Pakington Street forms the parade route with tens of thousands enjoying hundreds of performers, many dressed in their
elaborate traditional costumes, dozens of floats, marching bands, local dance studios and even a odd celebrity or two.
At the conclusion of the parade people head to the Festa opening in West Park with a moving welcome to country from Geelong’s Wathaurong community. This is followed by some speeches from dignities and the
parade awards before the whole precinct transforms into a carnival atmosphere.
Tents line the Pakington Street parade course filled with market stalls and a huge array of ethnic treats, spring rolls, chevapi sausages, juicy baklava, treats on sticks you name it the aroma is
incredible.
Roaming entertainment span the route while several performance stages will be set up in the nearby parks and lanes featuring a day long calendar of performances from community groups, with amazing music and costume. While down near the Petrel Hotel people can enjoy a day of blues, rock and rockabilly with a range of great bands performing.
This year’s festa will feature a huge kids area in front of the Geelong West City Hall, here there there will be a whole day of fun with circus acts, workshops and heaps of fun for the little ones.
For those visiting Geelong for the event, Pakington Street is a short 10 minute walk from the Geelong Railway Station and city centre. The local West Geelong area is well serviced by public transport.
