By DANIELLE GALVIN
SPACE-AGE cars and mini-martians floated into Pakenham’s main strip on Sunday for the annual Yakkerboo Festival.
There were more rides at the festival this year as well as the old favourites for another spectacular cavalcade, parade and carnival.
In his third year as president of the committee, Michael Porter said it was another great year.
“This year we pushed the dodgems way back towards Henry Street in Bourke Park, put the twister on Station Street, hired a spaceship (how appropriate given the theme this year was space) and we hired a blow-up haunted house,” he said.
“So there were far more rides for the families to go on this year, which helped the queues move quicker.
Schools, kindergartens and community groups signed up for the parade which started at 11am.
Mr Porter encouraged anyone who didn’t take part in the parade this year to get on board for next year’s 40th anniversary.
“The parade was spectacular, I loved seeing the schools, kinders and even a child-minding centre get involved,” he said.
“If your education centre didn’t have a float, go and ask them why not and ask if you can get involved next year.
“Maybe form a parents committee and work with the teachers and students.”
The cavalcade of unique vehicles was also a success again this year and Mr Porter noted some very well looked-after cars and some proud owners.
“And the trikes were also great, I hope we see them all back next year and some more,” he said.
“The market stalls all seemed to be trading well – we may have to look at how we can increase the size of the market area next year, as we turn people away these days as we have such a huge demand.
“The carnival on Saturday night was by far the busiest I have ever seen it and the fireworks as always were a hit with everyone thanks to local resident Tony Finlay of Southern Cross Fireworks.”
Mr Porter said the two-day festival was another “fabulous achievement” by everyone who has helped out.
“Thanks must go to the Cardinia Shire Council for their grant and to all our wonderful sponsors, if it wasn’t for them we would struggle to make it happen.
“And I must say thanks to all the committee for their dedication, and time and effort they put in to Yakkerboo for the benefit of our local families.”
As a few committee members plan to move on after this year’s event, Mr Porter is encouraging some new faces to join the committee.
The group meets monthly for about seven months in the lead-up to the event and then in the last month on a fortnightly basis.
See pages 66 and 67 for more on this year’s festival.
“If you love what you saw and are community-minded and would like to join the committee, call the secretary, Vanessa on 0434 100 500 or inbox Yakkerboo Facebook,” he said.
