Parkes Phoenix Editor

If you go down to Lions Park on Saturday 19 October, you are sure of a big surprise! The popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic is returning this year and on a Saturday.

It truly is a day for the whole family to enjoy. This year’s event will include over 28 activities and rides for the children, including a crash course, bandage a bear, face painting and unicorn land, to name a few. “We are overwhelmed by the success of previous picnics and cannot wait to bring our biggest and best to the community so far,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

Taste of Greece, Sweet Three Vintage Van and BBQ by Forbes Lions Club will all be on site. Coffee by Larz and an ice cream van will also be available to supply treats for big and little kids alike.

Children are asked to bring along their favourite teddy to participate in the Teddy Bear Parade. Each child will receive a token for participating. Make sure you have your name tag on your bear in case he or she accidently gets lost.

The musical performances on the day will feature Mainly Music, Maddi Collits and Georgia Sideris who will get the children ready to have some fun. Both Forbes North Dance Troupe and Kristen’s Dance Studio will also perform.

“Food and refreshments will be available on the day or bring a picnic,” says Mayor Miller. “It is a lovely event the whole family can enjoy for little to no cost.”

Teddy Bears Picnic forms Council’s celebrations of Children’s Week and the picnic starts at 10am and concludes at 2pm.

In the interests of public safety, Forbes Shire Council are initiating a temporary exclusion zone around the new container café in Lions Park.

“We are really pleased that so many tourists and members of the community are keen to enjoy this wonderful space by the lake,” says Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane. “But we need to ensure that people are able to do this safely.”

Exclusion works in the park will include the erection of temporary bollards in front of the container café to separate pedestrian traffic from the road. Lions Park will also be extensively signposted with safety and shared zone signs.

The park features play equipment for children and the temptation for them to run over to this equipment is high. The BBQ area and new fishing platform share the space and the public need to be on the look-out for children in this vicinity.

“Our parks must remain safe places for the whole family,” says Steve Loane. “Cars don’t really belong in our parks, except to set up and pack down for events and markets. I’d encourage the community to relax and unwind in our beautiful open spaces, such as Lions Park and leave the car parked outside the park, or leave it a

Michelle Mahlo, Sue Cunningham, Danielle Hodge and Karen Wright helped out at Grazing Down the Lachlan.

“It’s amazing what a good cup of tea can do for the soul” and “Just what I need is a nice refreshing Cuppa,” were just a few of the sentiments many patrons of the Grazing Down The Lachlan were voicing when they arrived at the last station of the event. Tired and some perhaps a little under the weather, were delighted to find that a good old ‘cuppa’ awaited them.

Four ladies from the CWA Forbes Evening Branch volunteered to serve good old fashioned cups of tea. They were even more surprised to learn that teapots with real tea leaves were being used, while they gathered to listen to some good music and discuss the day’s adventures along the Lachlan.

Michael and Denise Walker and Judith Taylor enjoyed the Country of Study International Dinner.

Part of the CWA values is to be involved with the community. Assisting with Grazing Down The Lachlan has been only one of many events the branch has been involved with recently. A group of 9 members assisted the Forbes PA & HA providing morning tea and lunch for judges and helpers at the recent show.