Victoria’s largest free multicultural street festival is back for 2024 when the 42nd edition of Pako Festa once again takes over Pakington Street.
The annual event, which draws crowds of over 100,000 people and is organised by Cultura, will fill the iconic Geelong West thoroughfare this Saturday (February 24) with music, colour, costumes and movement, while community food stalls will offer a taste of the different cultures that make up our city.
Cultura chief executive Joy Leggo OAM said the celebration of cultural diversity would be “spectacular” experience.
“Cultura delivers the event in partnership with our local multicultural communities and is working closely with over 40 diverse groups to ensure we can continue to raise the awareness of established and new and emerging communities and, most importantly, invite Pako Festa audiences to make all communities feel welcomed,” Ms Leggo said.
She said Cultura was excited to introduce new communities to Pako Fest this year, including parade participant Geelong Latin American Movement (GLAM) and culinary debutantes the Hazara community.
Event director Luis La Fornara said Pako Festa’s message was an important one.
“Considering what’s happening around the globe at the moment, it’s really important we can come together in peace and celebrate each other’s cultures,” she said.
“Food crosses all language barriers, music does as well. We’re trying to introduce different ways people can learn a little bit about the richness of all the multicultural communities we have in Geelong.
“I’m really looking forward to our new global craft market inside Geelong West Town Hall. (There will be) some really authentic local makers from all different backgrounds.
“We’ve got a great stage program across the board, a lot of great free entertainment for the whole family. And of course the colours of the costumes in the street, it’s such a glorious sight.”
The Pako Fest street parade kicks off at 11am, with all performance stages offering live entertainment from 12.30pm. The global craft market at Geelong West Town Hall will run from 12.30pm to 5pm.
Visit pakofesta.com.au for more information or to view the Pako Festa program.
