HIGHLIGHTS 2012

Once again the Great Pako Festa Street Parade will start at 11am, and embodies Colour, Culture & Celebration and is one of the most important events at Pako Festa! Look out for our 30 Carmen Mirandas as they kick off our 30 birthday celebrations; sure to get anyone in the spirit to party! 

See your favourite Channel 7 Home and Away Stars stars heading up the big Pako Festa Parade at 11am, and then meet them on the Channel 7 stage from 12.30 – 2pm signing autographs and talking to their fans. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Down near the Pakington Strand you will find Geelong’s own slice of France. You’ll discover the Alliance Fransaise de Geelong display, French Chocolate stall Cacao Fine Chocolates & Patisserie who are manufactures of premium macarons, chocolates, cakes and pastries and let’s not forget the French Bakery in Pakington Street a local favorite. So whatever that treat is, a chocolate bonbon, flaky croissant, French macaroon or the seductive signature hot chocolate if you’re a lover of French pastries or anything chocolate make sure you visit the French Quarter. For those not interested in sampling the sweet delicacies and are looking for that French inspired ‘something perfect for the home’ visit Perfect Pieces on Pakington Street.

A wonderful Bilingual Puppet Show (in French & English) Beauty and the Beast will be presented by Carrousel Theatre.  The Shows are starting at 1.15pm & 3pm and can be found in French Quarter, Pakington Strand. Once the show is over from 5pm  hot club swing will entertain you with that music draws from an exotic palate of Classical, Swing and Gypsy influences, painting on a canvas that can be eloquently French, starkly rustic or darkly and romantically Gypsy.

To mark the 30th Birthday of Pako Festa a Collection of the Pako Festa Posters from 1983 through to 2012 will be on display at the NAB and Café Smudge both on Pakington Street. See how the event has evolved both through this exhibition and a display of photo’s that will be ‘Pako on Screen’ on the Giant Screen at Pakington Strand.

Check out all of the entertainment on the 6 outdoor stages and watch out for Grasshopper reappearing after 30 years on the West Park stage again. 

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LIST OF ACTIVITIES PAKO 2012

Youth Area:  From 12-5.30 enjoy Freeza Youth Stage great line up of entertainment showcasing local young talent, Carpark area near Hope street. 

Art Workshop: Free workshop from 12-5pm -facilitated by Festive Factory come along and let the music and colour of the street inspire you!
Pavement Art: From 12-5.30pm An all ages art activity- you are invited to create your own artwork within our giant Art Snake mural designed on the day by pavement artist Ulla Taylor.  Get some basic tips from the artist, then be creative, be colourful and enjoy! (Small children must be supervised by an adult).  Youth Area Carpark area near Hope street.

Roving Performers: Look out for Public Mischief as Country Fair, Fun Arts and a collection of Carmen Mirandas  and Festive Factory with a amazing butterflies and fish displays throughout the day.
Listen to the roving buskers and street entertainment along Pakington Street as you enjoy the tastes of the world.

Carmen Miranda Bar: Enjoy a great range of wines and boutique beers, experience cuisine with a Latin attitude from Tierra Nueva a family owned business specializing in South American quality products and catch the best of the entertainment on the Westpac Diversity Stage – Albert Street - from 12noon-6.30pm.

Soccer Clinic: Westpac is proud to present Melbourne Heart who will be running a kids soccer clinic next to the Westpac Branch corner of Pakington & Candover Street.

Pako on Screen : Paying homage to Pako Festa’s 30 year history come see the images and old footage on the large outdoor screen down at the Pakington Strand. 

Handball for Human Rights: Come join staff of Barwon Community Legal Service and the famous Half Cat at the corner of Clarence and Pako Streets on 25 February 2012 for a game of Handball for Human Rights. This game enables kids (and grown-ups) of all ages to aim for human rights. Using the footy classic handball competition as inspiration, you can take aim at FRED (Freedom, Respect, Equality and Dignity) and maybe even win a prize! This game is hosted by the Barwon Community Legal Service, a free community legal service for people living in the Geelong and surrounding areas.

For more information about FRED see: http://www.humanrightsareaussierules.org.au/our-project/ Understanding human rights strengthens diverse communities, promotes social inclusion and helps to reduce the incidence of racial, religious and cultural bullying and intolerance amongst children.

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DON’T MISS

The Great Pako Festa Street Parade 11am Pakington Street: look out for our 30 Carmen Mirandas as they kick off our 30th birthday celebrations; sure to get anyone in the spirit to party! 

Channel 7 - Home & Away Stars: See your favourite stars heading up the big Pako Festa Parade at 11am, then meet them on the Channel 7 stage from 12.30 – 2pm signing autographs and talking to their fans. Don’t forget to bring your camera as well!

French Quarter: located near the Pakington Strand you will find Geelong’s own slice of France.

Bilingual Puppet Show: (French & English):  Beauty and the Beast presented by Carrousel Theatre.  Shows starting at 1.15pm & 3pm - French Quarter, Pakington Strand.

Hot Club Swing: from 5pm  hot club swing will entertain you with that music draws from an exotic palate of Classical, Swing and Gypsy influences, painting on a canvas that can be eloquently French, starkly rustic or darkly and romantically Gypsy.

Cultural Craft: Craft Demonstrations & Displays from 1.00pm-5.00pm, Supper Room West Town Hall.

Hair Braiding Liberian Style:  West Town Hall 1-4pm

Fashion Parade: From 2.30pm, Channel 7 Stage.

Choirs:  Collection of Choirs from around the globe in the Bethel Church opposite the West Town Hall on Pakington Street from 12.20pm.

Collection of Pako Festa Posters: from 1983 til 2012 on display at NAB and Café Smudge Pakington Street

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JUST FOR KIDS

 

Geelong West Library FREE Activities:

• From 10.00am-4.00pm.  Colour your own Pako Festa poster in the junior area of the Geelong West Library.

• Many Stories Many Cultures -  Italian Story Time with Gracie Scala Adamson a local Writer-Artist-Illustrator First session 1.00pm second session 1.30pm www.gracie-adamson-echo-ink.com

 

Geelong West Town Hall FREE activities:

• From 12.30 – 1pm in West Town Hall. Cumbia Music – Music Workshop for the little ones.
• From 1.30 - 3.30pm in West Town Hall. Westside Circus – Free circus workshops test your skills of balance, suitable for kids of all of all ages

Geelong Scouting Association: from 10am in West Park. Be challenged by the Trailer and Rope Bridge along with other activities and games.

Paint Pot: from 12pm-6pm Geelong West Park - A Free activity for the young and creative at heart. 

Face painting & Sand Art: From 12.30-4.00pm with The Party Girl in the West Town Hall.

Amazing Water Bugs: Become bug detectives with Water Watch and Conservation Volunteers. This activity is suitable for children of all ages- even mum and dad might find it interesting. Check out the amazing water bugs that live in the Pako Street Wetlands, and learn how these water bugs keep our waterways healthy! You can explore and discover the diversity of water bugs that live locally.

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Lead Up Event

Polyglots:
As a lead up event to Pako Festa 2012 Polyglots 2012 will celebrate the life and work of Lawrence Durrell (1912 – 1990), the Anglo-Irish poet, essayist and author of the novel, The Alexandria Quartet. Polyglots 2012 - A Night in Alexandria - will be held in the evening of Wednesday 22nd February at Wholefoods Café, 2 Baylie Place, Geelong, doors open at 7:00 p.m.

ENTRY: $8 or $5 members of GEELONG WRITERS inc.

Bookings can be made via email to Sandra Jobling at geelongwriters@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or Wholefoods Café @ 5221 5421