Ready, Teddy, Go!
The cuddliest event on the Darwin Festival calendar, City of Darwin’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic is back, presenting a fun-filled morning for all the mama, papa and baby bears.
By Kate Conway
City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says the Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a firm family favourite on Darwin’s annual calendar of events.
“City of Darwin has been a proud supporter of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic for many years now – it’s events like this that bring families and the community together and create a real sense of inclusivity,” he says.
“I encourage families to head down to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic to enjoy a day of fun and quality family time in the beautiful Darwin outdoors.”
This year, the fun includes Bollywood and K-Pop dance lessons, while Corrugated Iron bring a bag of circus tricks. Join two stars of The Legend of Queen Kong for a special, kids-only queer cabaret experience, combining a rock concert with an interstellar, sci-fi extravaganza. There’s also a Disney DJ mash-up, artistic adventures, and much more.
If you need a moment to paws and reflect on all the excitement, kick back on the Esplanade Lawns and sample delicious picnic morsels from an array of food vendors that could leave you feeling a lil’ stuffed.
Darwin Festival Artistic Director Felix Preval says the enduring and endearing event is the longest running in the Festival’s stable,and that it has become emblematic of the place the Festival holds in the hearts of Darwinians.
“It is now truly inter-generational, with a new crop of parents bringing their toddlers down for the first time, having been toddlers themselves in the very earliest Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” he says.
“To see that cycle complete is so beautiful, and it’s lovely to know that a good chunk of those chubby little faces will be the future audience for Darwin Festival.”
Pack your fuzzy besties and your dancing shoes, and get set for a Dry season morning by the seaside with family and friends. Oh, what a beautiful day!
City of Darwin Teddy Bears' Picnic
WHEN SUN 7 AUG | 9AM
AT DARWIN ESPLANADE
COST FREE
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Thumbnail, header & inset: Photo: Elise Derwin
