KAKATO FESTIVAL & Penny Farthing Fun Day 2025 Successfully Held

The KAKATO FESTIVAL and Penny Farthing Fun Day 2025 concluded on the weekend of 6th (Saturday) and 7th (Sunday) December 2025 at Tung Po, TWGHs, San Po Kong, radiating an atmosphere of unity, compassion, and celebration. Embracing the theme “Uniting Community Strength, Spreading Warmth Together,” the two-day extravaganza brought together people from all walks of life to share in the spirit of harmony, kindness, and cultural appreciation.

The event was spearheaded by Dr. April Fong—Managing Director of MaxiPro (Asia) Limited and Kakato® Premium Foods, Founder of the Asia Penny Farthing Association, and honoured as a Global Outstanding Chinese Youth and GBA Outstanding Caring Woman Entrepreneur—in alignment with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s vision to advance culture, sports, tourism and the pet economy.

Infused with the nostalgic charm of the 80s and 90s, this year’s festival offered a delightful fusion of classical melodies, cultural and sporting spectacles, pet-friendly fun, charity drives, conservation campaigns, and a vibrant themed bazaar. The lively scene, graced by attendees with their beloved pets, epitomised community inclusiveness and the warmth of shared joy.

The festivities commenced with a grand opening ceremony on the afternoon of 6th December, followed by one of the most anticipated highlights in the pet industry — the 4th Kakato Animal Furdel Awards Presentation. Founded by Dr. Fong, the Awards celebrate the extraordinary stories of animals whose courage and spirit inspire humankind. Each tale, a testament to faith, perseverance, and unconditional love, uplifted hearts and reminded all present of the profound bond between people and their animal companions.

During the Awards Ceremony, the heartfelt stories shared by the winning animals deeply moved every guest in attendance. Their tales of resilience and love not only echoed the festival’s themes of care and hope, but also inspired meaningful action. This emotional connection seamlessly extended to the Kakato Animal Food Bank and the pet adoption booths on-site, transforming compassion into tangible support. Through these initiatives, the event beautifully conveyed the importance of pet adoption, aiding stray animals, and nurturing a vision of a harmonious society where humans and animals coexist in mutual respect and care.

Another beloved attraction of the festival was the Penny Farthing Experience Trials, which drew tremendous interest from the crowd. The organisers were honoured to welcome Mr. Simon Weir, multi-time Australian champion, and Mr. Danial Bolwell, renowned penny farthing craftsman and holder of 28 medals, who both travelled specially from Australia to Hong Kong. Their captivating interactions and sharing of stories about this century-old cycling tradition fascinated visitors, many of whom eagerly seized the opportunity to experience firsthand the unique thrill and elegance of riding the historic penny farthing bicycle.

Adding to the charm of the weekend, the 80s and 90s Retro Cultural Zone within the venue offered a spacious and nostalgic setting where time seemed to pause. Visitors delighted in immersive displays such as the “Danny Chan Classic Collection Showcase,” vintage vinyl records and bus models, Little Cookie’s Hong Kong old-town figurine photography, and On Tai Mini workshop’s nostalgic miniature scenes—each exhibit evoking heartfelt memories of Hong Kong’s golden era. Classic game stations featuring pinball machines and hopscotch, now seldom seen, brought laughter to both children and adults, while live renditions of timeless golden hits filled the air, uniting generations through shared musical memories.

Beyond entertainment, the event embodied a strong sense of community care and wellness. The Greater Bay Area Medical Professional Development Association Team and the City University of Hong Kong Veterinary Team offered complimentary health assessments for both people and pets, reinforcing holistic well-being. Moreover, elderly participants from the SAGE Fong Shu Chuen Centre were specially invited to join the festivities, warmly embracing the joy of human–pet companionship amidst the welcoming ambience of retro culture. Bathed in nostalgia and community spirit, the event’s spacious and thoughtfully curated 80s and 90s-themed zone transported visitors back in time, allowing them to relive treasured memories in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Beyond cultural appreciation, the event also embodied a strong sense of community care and well-being. A joint initiative by the Greater Bay Area Medical Development Team and the City University of Hong Kong Veterinary Team provided free health assessments for both people and pets, underscoring the message of compassion and holistic wellness. Elderly members from the Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE) Fong Shu Chuen Centre were also invited to join, enjoying a touching afternoon of intergenerational connection and companionship.

The event was honored to have the following guests in attendance:

Ceremony MC:

Mr. Timothy Cheng, Music Lover

Ms. Virginia Cheng, Executive Director of Asia Penny Farthing Association

Guest of Honour:

Dr. April Fong – Event Organiser

Professor Alice Chiu, BBS, JP – Co-founder of Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation

Mr. Corey Lau – Member of the North District Council

Mr. Wilson Kwok – Pok Oi Hospital Permanent Adviser

Mr. Howard Wong – Director (Development for Veterinary Medicine) of City University Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences

Mr. Carl Wong – Chairman of Exhibition Group, Honorary President of Asia Penny Farthing Association

Dr. Wong – Executive Chairman of the Outstanding Chinese Culture Association

Mr. Eric Siu – President of Greater Bay Area Medical Professional Development Association Founding

Dr. Gary Ades – Department Head of Fauna Conservation of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Corporation

Dr. Willie Lai – Founder of GBA Economic and Trade Association

Dr. April Fong, the organiser, remarked, “We are thrilled to see how this event has brought our community together — from the young to the elderly, and even our beloved pets — to celebrate a weekend filled with emotion, love, and positive energy. Our deepest gratitude goes to all the Furdel Awards recipients for sharing their inspiring life stories that exemplify unconditional love and resilience. We are also honored by the support of the world-class penny farthing champions who joined us. Moving forward, we hope to continue organizing diverse activities that promote harmony and inclusiveness, building a kinder and more connected Hong Kong.”