Diversitat Pako Festa

Saturday, 27th February 2016.

Diversitat Pako Festa is the largest free celebration of cultural diversity in Australia! Every year since 1983 it has gathered together hundreds of people from Geelong’s local and cultural communities, professional performers, community groups, schools, businesses, street traders and artists from all walks of life into one huge and amazing celebration.

Coming together in harmony, up to 100,000 people join together to enjoy a smorgasbord of fabulous cultural food, traditional dancing, the enormous and famous Pako Parade, great workshops, art exhibitions, craft displays, free activities for children and an exciting day of non-stop entertainment.

Diversitat Pako Festa prides itself as being a free event, accessible to all who want to share the enriching experience of Australian multiculturalism. All you need to bring for a great day out is a happy heart, an open mind and our Pako App on your phone for all the details.

Diversitat Pako Festa 2016 in review

On Saturday, the 27th February, Pako Festa celebrated its 34th year with the largest crowds ever; the day was filled with colour, music and most importantly a diversity of food from around the world.

Geelong’s diverse communities including ; Afghan, Bosnian, Chinese, Congolese, Croatian, Dutch, Filipino, French, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Indonesian, Italian, Irish, Italian, Karen, Karenni, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Maori, Nepalese, Polish, Russian, Scottish, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Sudanese, Thai, Ukrainian and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Op collectively put on the greatest show ever starting with the parade at 11am and then showcasing culture through food, craft and dancing!

The great Pako Festa parade saw the following winners rewarded for their incredible presentation and dedication to preserving cultural identity.
Parade winners
Best School Entry – Ashby Primary School, $250.00 cash prize
Best use of Theme – Chinese Community of Geelong, $500 cash prize
Most Culturally Aware – Croatian Community of Geelong, $500 cash prize
Stall Decoration
Most Culturally Aware: Thai Community, $250 cash prize
Most Creative: French Community $250, cash prize

We are proud to announce that our local cultural communities collectively raised over $80,000 for their own communities allowing these groups to continue to promote, share and preserve their cultural heritage.
On behalf of the event team consisting of Luisa La Fornara, Event Director, Frank O’Neill, Pakington Street Trader Liaison and Logistics, Cathy Harper Parade and Social Media Manager and John Taylor Graphic Design, we thank the broader Geelong Community and all Pako Festa sponsors, supporters and volunteers for their ongoing patronage of one of Victoria’s largest cultural celebrations.

We look forward to seeing you next year as we celebrate our 35th Birthday on Saturday,25th February, 2017.

Pako Festa Survey

Thank to the Geelong Mecure, you can win a nights accommodation with breakfast just by filling in the survey.

Please assist us in collecting data and bringing you a better Pako Festa by filling in the survey.

Winners to be announced on Wednesday 30th March 2016 (date change due to Easter)

Don’t miss your FREE Pako Festa event app! Download now!

At your fingertips, the complete guide to all the events, including the great Pako Parade, where to see the Channel 7 stars, your favourite culinary delights in a street lined with food stalls, and much, much more. You can even create your own schedule for the day, so you don’t miss your favourite musical acts and cultural dance groups!