Every bear that ever there was will soon be gathering in Queenstown for the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Being held at the Queenstown Events Centre this Saturday, from 11am till 2pm, best-loved teddies of all shapes and sizes are invited to join their humans for the free event, part of Queenstown council’s Summerdaze programme.

The MC for the 2024 event is colourful Queenstowner Sunny Sky — entertainment includes waiata with Margaret Amor, stories, including Hairy Maclary, singalongs and dance performances by the Wakatipu Conservatoire of Classical Ballet, Erika and Anju Duo, and Korean
drumming.

Preceding the picnic will be the annual ‘Stride, Ride & Slide’ mini-triathlon for tiny tots aged between 2 and 6, supported by Sport Central.

After a short dash, entrants will jump on their bikes — which can be anything from pushbikes to balance bikes, trikes or scooters, for example — and push or pedal their way to a waterslide.

After splashing their way through that, there’ll be another quick dash to the finish-line.

It starts at 10am, with kids being set off in 10-minute increments according to their age-group.

Pre-registrations, open till 7am on the day, cost $5 per child, or $8 cash from 9am.

All mini-triathletes who pre-enter will be eligible for spot prizes; the prizegiving’s being held at the start of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic on the
adjacent field.

To register for the mini-tri, visit iticket.co.nz

[email protected]

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