Pako Festa lauded as Victoria’s best regional event

PAKO Festa, organised by Cultura, has been crowned Victoria’s best regional event in this year’s Australian Event Awards.

The prestigious awards are the only opportunity for Australian event professionals to compete across all facets of the industry to establish which are Australia’s best events and event-related goods, services and innovations. Pako Festa was one of five national finalists.

Cultura chief executive officer Joy Leggo said the achievement was humbling.

“What a proud milestone this is for Cultura, and for Geelong,” she said.

“To have reached national finalist level and be announced as the state winner is a wonderful feather in our cap. I am honoured to accept this incredible award on behalf of Cultura.”

Ms Leggo said Pako Festa had been a shining light for celebrating cultural harmony and cohesion across four decades.

“Pako Festa is accessible to all who want to share the enriching experience of Australian multiculturalism, with almost 100,000 visitors contributing to the community cohesion needed so much in today’s world,” she said.

“A huge thank you to our local diverse communities who truly are the heart and soul of Pako Festa and who have all collaborated to bring this magic event to life.”

Cultura board director Gerald De Stefano said he was incredibly proud of his organisation for not only putting on Pako Festa but also achieving this accolade.

“It is so well deserved and extremely competitive,” he said.

“I cannot name everyone involved in orchestrating an event of this size, so, on behalf of the board, I would like to thank our incredibly talented event director Luisa La Fornara and her team as well as all our Cultura Pako Festa staff and event volunteers for working tirelessly behind the scenes to create this magic.”

The win at the Australian Event Awards follows Pako Festa’s 2023 Premier’s State Award in the Multicultural Awards for Excellence.

“We would like to formally thank all our sponsors and supporters, including the Victorian State Government, City of Greater Geelong, the many corporate and business partners, and the Pakington Street Traders, who have all come together to create this unforgettable experience – a true celebration of multiculturalism through music, dance, cuisine, street parade and community spirit,” Ms Leggo said.