Crowds flood in to

By Jade Lawton
THOUSANDS of people enjoyed the unique rural and outdoor expo Go Country! on the weekend despite the gloomy weather.
Go Country! CEO Tim Ahern said the second annual event, run by the Lang Lang-Kooweerup and Pakenham Rotary Clubs, was a resounding success.
“Considering Mother Nature was hard on us on the Saturday, we were very successful,” he said.
Snakes, the animal farm, rock climbing and musicians proved popular with families, while others enjoyed the many farming and outdoors exhibits.
The event faced some last minute changes, with the inside of the racetrack, where the exhibitor’s set-up last year, deemed too wet to be used this time.
The committee was forced to change the lay-out of the expo just 10 days before opening the gates.
Mr Ahern said the new plan worked well and the committee would consider the same design for next year.
Postcode checks of all the patrons showed people came from far and wide for the expo, and the ‘gate prize,’ a Mako 3.45 aluminium boat and Mackay trailer package valued at $4500, was won by a Trafalgar woman.
Mr Ahern said close to 80 volunteers were involved in the set-up, running of the event and Monday’s clean-up.
“It’s an enormous job and the enthusiasm from everyone is just fabulous. We had many of the Rotary members’ partners and members of the Pakenham and District Inner Wheel all helping,” he said.
“We had full support from both the Nar Nar Goon and Pakenham Scout clubs, and the Pakenham Pony Club and Upper Pakenham Riding Club did pony rides for us. That sort of support is just sensational.”
Mr Ahern also thanked the Pakenham Racing Club for their co-operation and support.
The next Go Country! expo will be held in October 2010, with the committee to announce the exact dates early next year.