It’s a beary special day - and you're invited to join the fun!

A young girl speaks to a St. John Ambulance medical personnel during the 2024 Teddy Bear Picnic at the Burford Fairgrounds. St. John Ambulance hosts a popular medical clinic to offer thorough medical examines for the teddies, all designed to ease children’s anxieties about doctors or hospital visits. 

By Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

It’s time to let your child in on a fun secret, and they can tell their stuffies and favourite teddies too – the Teddy Bear Picnic is returning to the Burford Fairgrounds next weekend. The fourth annual picnic is a fun, and completely free event spearheaded by the Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant and supported by over two dozen generous – and local - business owners.  This event isn’t your typical festival or fair—it’s designed entirely with children in mind. “Every activity is thoughtfully planned to ensure kids have a wide variety of fun, engaging options to enjoy,” said Sheila Moore, Kiwanis Club member and Picnic Event Chair. “One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive is how refreshing it is that everything, aside from a small canteen offering light snacks at very reasonable prices, is completely free. There are no vendors or items for sale, so parents don’t have to worry about their kids asking for souvenirs or treats they can’t afford.” Families are invited to join the fun, have a great time, and not feel the pressure to spend money and none of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of sponsors. The picnic starts at 1 pm on Sunday, June 8th.  There will be games, facepainting and entertainment provided by The Barry O Kid Show. Many of the family-favourite activities are returning from previous years, and hopefully with a little bit of cooperation from Mother Nature, organizers have high hopes that they can bring a tractor or two on site to fascinate the little ones who have a natural curiosity for farm equipment. “Lasty year we added seed planting, and the little ones were very excited to learn how to plant, and care for seeds.”The County of Brant Library will offer special story times and activities, and the Fire Department will have a fire truck on the grounds for those children who aspire to be future first responders. Since the children are encouraged to bring their favourite teddies and treasured companions, St. John Ambulance is hosting its ever-popular clinic to offer thorough medical examines for those furry guests of honour, all designed to ease children’s anxieties about doctors or hospital visits. “The purpose was to help alleviate any fears young children might have if they, themselves, needed medical attention. We introduced them to questions they might be asked, or instruments used, or possible treatments, in a very comfortable and non-threatening environment,” said Moore.In fact, it was this teddy bear medical clinic, first launched by the Kiwanis in 2012, that eventually led to the birth of the teddy bear picnic. “We had a retired doctor in our club and, a few years later, an optometrist so we expanded it. Eight years passed and along came COVID. When we recovered, Springtime in Paris was no longer going on and the idea of a Kiwanis Teddy Bear Picnic was born, with the Clinic being a feature component,” Moore explained.  The Teddy Bear picnic was held in Paris in 2022 and 2023 before it was moved to the Burford Fairgrounds in 2024. The event typically draws upwards of 500 guests. And why wouldn’t it when the youngsters have so many opportunities to treat their teddies to such a thrilling afternoon!In addition to clinics, entertainment and family fun games, the Kiwanis Club encourages children to deck out their teddies in the most creative ensembles and enter them into the Most Creatively Dressed contest where judges will award the best dressed bears. Judging will take place at the Kiwanis tent at 2 pm. Most of the activities offered have a learning or developmental components to them and the most creatively dressed contest is no different. “Our goal is to give a child the opportunity to put his or her creative juices to use and create a costume for their treasured friend that is meaningful to them. While, undoubtedly, it makes the judging a bit of a challenge sometimes, we want the kids to do something that resonates with them, personally,” shared Moore.The Teddy Bear Art Contest is also back by popular demand. Budding artists are encouraged to draw, colour or paint their teddy bear on an 8.5” by 11” paper and turn it in to the Kiwanis Tent before 1:30 pm. Be sure to include their name, age and an adult phone number. There are two categories for children 5 and under and children ages 6-8. Winners will be contacted, only one entry per child. The picnic will take place outdoors, hopefully under sunny skies, but in the event of a little rain it will move inside the Burford Fairgrounds. Participants can purchase their food on site or pack a good old fashioned picnic basket and bring it along!