Teddy Bears Picnic.

Teddies flocked to Victoria Park for the inaugural Forbes Teddy Bears Picnic, an event coinciding with National Children’s Week 2016.

Organiser, Fiona Blyth, encouraged children to bring along their favourite teddy for a picnic. All ages and all teddies were invited to come down, to experience a day like no other.

Games and activity stations were peppered across the green, and entertainment was provided by performers at the stage.

Kids were kept smiling with a jumping castle, Sahara Park pony rides, face painting, storytelling and nursery rhymes.

Activities included the lollipop throw, graffiti wall craft, mini bowling alley, bubble station, toy library and fruit craft.

There were prizes up for grabs, performances by Mainly Music and Kristen’s Dance Studio and a major raffle.

The lucky winner of the major raffle prize took home a Tee Pee Cubby House with a sand pit, sponsored by Bunning’s Warehouse.

The ‘Care Bear Station’ was set up to offer kids a place to have some time out and relax. Children were encouraged to bring their favourite teddy and prizes were rewarded for the best dressed bear.

There was a sausage sizzle, coffee vans and a coffee sitting area for parents and friends. The free community event was proudly supported by Forbes Shire Council, Generocity Church Community Engagement, Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes, Forbes Toy Library and Bernardi’s IGA.

Forbes Teddy Bears Picnic coincides with Children’s Week, a national initiative to celebrate the right of children to enjoy childhood and demonstrate their abilities and talents.

They wanted to create an event that gets kids outdoors and away from the screen and emphasises creative play and family orientated activities.