Showtime in Pakenham

Isabelle tries Gumboot Throwing. 166113_02 Picture: ROB CAREW

Pakenham Show President Geoff Young

The 111th Parklea Pakenham Show is all set for Saturday 19 March at the PB Ronald Reserve, Pakenham.

We look forward to embracing our agricultural, horticultural and multicultural communities under one umbrella while continuing the tradition of bringing a slice of the country to the suburbs with all the regular sheep, poultry and pavilion/photography competitions, along with the added bonus of Barn Buddies, Reptile Encounters, Parkers Mini Circus, sheep shearing, blacksmith, pony rides, Pakenham Fire Brigade, Cardinia Concert Band, Stone Stockmen, Paper plane competition, gumboot throwing competition and the 2022 Series Eastern Region Scoot, BMX and Skateboard Competitions.

With many people feeling disconnected, alone and lonely, we seek to build resilience with the community and look to connect and ignite everyone with a free one-day family fun event.

With the theme Roaring 20s, we are very excited to bring a Ruston Proctor Showman’s Steam Engine to the show, which will drive an Australia Fair Grand Concert Organ in what will certainly be one of the highlights of our show. The committee is always looking for new and old items to be demonstrated and we invite the community to let us know of a particular item they would love to have us bring to the 2023 show next year.

I thank Miriam from the Living Learning Centre in Pakenham who will bring a multicultural theme of entertainment with local groups Berwick Bagpipers, Boubacar South African Drummers, Bhangra Groove, Konnext Right Now, Djirri Dance Performance, Berwick Lion Dance, EDC Brazilian Dancers, Mady Africa Drummer and Dance Legacy.

There will also be face painters and Henna art, and weaving with Laura will available from 10am to 2pm.

Casey Cardinia Library will bring to the day Elsa or Anna braids face-painting by Elsa and a photo opportunity between 10.30am and 1.30pm. There will also be Indigenous read and play, cultural clothing play, a Harmony Day scavenger hunt with prizes and an area to eat lunch (BYO).

Peppa Pig will make an entrance also on show day between 11am and 2pm.

This year we will also bring back the Adventure Trail with a new look and plenty of wonderful items to be collected thanks to our wonderful community. The showbags will still be $10 with plenty of items and activities to join in with on the day.

If you haven’t had a chance to grab one of these showbags in the past, don’t hesitate to grab one this year and have a go at the trail. New people on board are our local orchard Priests Bros, Splash Swim School Pakenham, Southern Cross Brix as well as all our regular stands Red Gem Nar Nar Goon, Giant Pumpkins, Rotary Club of Pakenham, Woolworths Pakenham, CWA Pakenham, Officeworks – Pakenham, Bunnings Warehouse Pakenham, Cardinia Environment Coalition, Cardinia District Scouts and Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club.

Fancy Faces, Paint a Pot Studios Narre Warren and Art for Kids are all on board with free activities all day.

I invite any individual, group or business to jump on board and celebrate with us, email pakenhamshow1@bigpond.com