Pako Festa returning home in 2023

Thrilled organisers and community leaders are preparing to welcome 100,000 revellers back to Pakington St for Pako Festa 2023.

Pako Festa will return to Pakington St in 2023, after Covid impacted the multicultural celebration’s format for two years.

The much-loved annual event was held at the Northern Community Hub in ­Norlane in February this year, while last year street vendors in Pakington St ­were replaced with dine-in and takeaway food across a number of locations.

Cultura chief executive Joy Leggo said the organisation was thrilled to be bringing the 2023 Pako Festa back home.

In 2020 it was reported the event delivered an economic benefit to the region of more than $5 million.

“This successful event attracts crowds of over 100,000 people and fulfils its purpose, which is to celebrate local diversity,” she said.

“The team, led by Luisa LaFornara, are currently planning the 2023 event to be staged on Saturday 25th February along Pakington Street, between Gordon Ave and Waterloo

Street.

“The theme for 2023 will be ‘Sharing and Connecting Cultures: the Reunion’.

“This is about human reconnection, not only within the diverse communities, but with the broader Geelong community as well.”

Pako Festa parade in 2020. picture: Glenn Ferguson

Pako Festa was established in 1983.

“The event brings diverse community groups together and offers a safe environment in which to share their culture with the broader community while fostering a spectacular cultural experience full of music, colour, food, costumes, dance and movement,” Ms Leggo said.

Cultura – the result of the merger of Diversitat and Multicultural Aged Care Services – will deliver the 2023 event.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said Pako Festa attracted visitors from outside Geelong.

“It’s an opportunity for our visitors to experience our multiculturalism,” he said.

He said the move back to Pako was a “a really positive sign” of the community continuing to get back to the things we love.

City of Greater Geelong’s Cr Eddy Kontelj welcomed the return of the event to its traditional home.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see it coming back to Pakington St,” Mr Kontelj said.

“I would like to applaud everyone that has been involved in it over the past couple of years, even though it was moved they did an amazing job and the community really supported it.

Mr Kontelj said the festival drew thousands of people to the city.

“Geelong people love Pako Festa and it really has such a wonderful community aspect to it,” he said.

People looking to get involved – such as performers, food trucks or potential volunteers – can visit www.pakofesta.com.au.

Originally published as Pako Festa returning home in 2023