Held annually in Pakington Street, Geelong West (on the last Saturday of February), Pako Festa is one of Australia's largest multicultural festivals.
This year, however, promises to be bigger than ever before, with the event celebrating it's 30th birthday.
Help celebrate 30 years of Pako Festa
Featuring an exciting and energetic street parade, participants from various ethnic groups wear their traditional costumes, and perform alongside the extravagant floats that they have created just for the day.
The parade begins at 11am, and it's well worth getting there early if you want to score a great viewing spot. This year, as part of the birthday celebrations, 30 Carmen Miranda's will lead the parade- showcasing the progression of the festival throughout the years. Carmen Miranda has long been the 'public face' of Pako Festa, and the procession should be quite a treat for those who have regularly attended the event (as well as those who are new to the experience).
Food and craft stalls line the street, roving entertainers are there to keep spectators amused, and with nine separate stages set up along the popular shopping strip, there will be plenty of music and dance performances to keep everybody entertained. There are also interactive workshops, exhibitions and kid's activities, and, as always, several stars from Channel 7 will be there to sign autographs and have photos taken.
Pako Festa usually attracts over 100,000 people to the Geelong region, and celebrates the diversity of our nation and all of the cultures that live within it.
This really is a fantastic and enlightening eye-opener.
Where else would you get the chance to see the cultures of over 45 different nations represented in one place?
Where else would you get to experience the unique cuisines and view the traditional dress of so many different people?
If you have an open mind and are not averse to having a good time, then this is the perfect event for you.
