For the first time in three years, Pakington Street will once again play host to the iconic Pako Festa as Victoria’s largest free multicultural festival returns home on Saturday, February 25.
Pako Festa 2023, the 41st edition of the festival, returns to the Pakington Street precinct between Gordon Avenue and Waterloo Street after being cancelled in 2021 and relocated to the Northern Community Hub in Norlane in 2022.
The one-kilometre precinct will be filled with street traders including food stalls from 22 diverse cultures, five performance stages, live interactive workshops and the Pako Festa street parade.
Event director Luisa LaFornara said the air of excitement was building as the big day approached.
“It’s coming together really, really well, and the community groups are so excited to go back to Pakington Street,” she said.
“We’ve really missed the parade.
“The community groups are really keen. It is a great opportunity for them to reconnect with not only their own communities, but also with the broader community.”
In years past the event has drawn over 100,000 people to the Pakington Street strip, and Enzo’s on Pako restaurant manager Rob Posterino said Pako Festa’s return to the area was welcomed by local businesses.
“It’s going to be very exciting after the absence of a couple of years,” Mr Posterino said.
“It’ll be good to see a lot of faces in the street and a lot of colour, and it’s also good for a bit of extra business. You can definitely say we’re excited.”
Cultura chief executive Joy Leggo said her organisation was thrilled to return the outdoor street party to its original home in a celebration of “the extraordinary contribution of individuals, cultural groups and multicultural communities in Geelong and across Australia”.
“The event brings diverse community groups together while fostering a spectacular cultural experience full of music, colour, food, costumes, dance and movement,” Ms Leggo said.
“This is about human reconnection, not only within the diverse communities, but with the broader Geelong community as well.”
Ms LaFornara said Pako Festa was a chance for all of Geelong to celebrate the city’s breadth of diversity.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for our local diverse communities to share their culture on a large platform, and we hope that people walk away having learnt a little bit more about the rich diversity we have in Geelong,” she said.
“Come along and support the local communities, make sure you bring water to keep hydrated and a sun hat, and enjoy the beautiful family atmosphere that’s on offer.”
