Carmen get it: The Independent’s Tory Favro plans to be one of this year’s Carmen Mirandas.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CARMEN Mirandas of all sizes, shapes and colours are set to overrun Geelong West’s Pakington St next month as part of Pako Festa.
The huge multicultural festival and street parade will celebrate its 30th anniversary next month with a cavalcade of participants dressed as the festa icon.
Event director Luisa La Fornara said the festival’s official Carmen Miranda, played by singer and dancer Jessica Costa, was seeking 30 assistant Carmens to add even more colour to the day’s celebrations.
“We’re looking for anyone who might have a secret Carmen Miranda trapped inside them ready to burst out,” Ms La Fornara said.
“We’d love to be surprised by lots of different ideas about how outrageously gorgeous your Carmen can be.
“Former Carmens are welcome to play an encore. It’s open to anyone, so let your imagination go wild.”
Ms La Fornara said Ms Costa and her 30 assistant Carmen Mirandas would lead the parade down Pako to represent each year of the great procession.
This year’s festa would also feature Art on Parade, a mobile sculptural installation using recycled materials from previous festivals.
An Art on Parade float would be dismantled into discrete sculptures and transformed into a gateway to the festival at the end of Pakington St.
Ms La Fornara said the sculpture would later go on display in various venues for the rest of the year.
The festival attracts more than 100,000 people to Geelong’s multicultural heart each February.
State Government has provided $100,000 funding, while BCC Computers and Betta Geelong West have also given support.
Ms La Fornara said anyone interested in parading as a Carmen should phone 5221 6044 to get involved.
Pako Festa will be on Saturday, February 25.
The Independent is a sponsor of Pako Festa.
