By BEN CAMERON
ONE of Pakenham’s oldest and proudest events will return next year with a new name.
The Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show is set for Saturday 21 March after the show committee inked a naming rights sponsorship agreement with the residential and commercial property company a few months ago.
While the financial details will remain inhouse for now, show president Geoff Young said the three-year deal was a boon for the free show, held at P.B. Ronald Reserve.
“It will stabilise and guarantee our future,” he said.
“It means the show is growing.
“This show stands on its own two feet financially, but it (the sponsorship) allows the show to grow in many different ways.”
The show will return with a couple of new attractions in 2015 with Greenpeace holding a Sea Shepherd stall, and a multicultural stage showcasing the cultural diversity of the area.
Mr Young said the committee was also busy tackling new strategies to attract younger people to the event.
He said the committee had been working on a major sponsor for two years.
Parklea chief executive officer Andrew Herbert said the agreement was a good fit.
“We are genuinely passionate about supporting the local community and making a real difference in the Cardinia Shire, so naturally, we at Parklea jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show,” he said.
“We feel the Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show optimises the region’s heritage while reflecting the values of the community today, a major attraction for the south-east.”
Parklea has strong ties to the shire with commercial developments in Beaconsfield, Timbertop Estate in Officer and the Arena Shopping Centre.
