NEWS RELEASE
22 January 2008

Kids’ social calendars looking busy this weekend

Parents, be prepared: the social calendars of Wellington’s younger residents are looking particularly busy this weekend, thanks to the Meridian Energy Summer City festival.

Friday offers a final chance to catch an Enchanted Tales storytelling session this year. After 20 consecutive days of keeping the kids entertained twice daily with magical stories and fun, Fairy Trina is going to head off for a well-earned rest. But before she puts her feet up, she’ll return for one last important social engagement — the Grand Fairy Ball on Saturday.

The Grand Fairy Ball gives girls a chance to dress up as fairies, and boys as superheroes, and party. There will be cake and special fun giveaways.

Wellington City Council Event Co-ordinator Melody Scales says children look forward to the Grand Fairy Ball for weeks. “They get so excited about their costumes and the fun activities. It’s so cute seeing lots of little fairies and superheroes running around the Dell.”

The Dell will be alive with the sound of youngsters having fun again on Sunday 27 January, when the Teddy Bears’ Picnic takes place. A much-loved fixture on the calendar, this event is always attended by thousands of children, adults and, of course, bears.

Entertainment will be provided by Zappo the Magician, StarFish and Natural Magic Pirates Band, and Harry the Clown will make free balloon sculptures. There will also be rides and teddy bear competitions, including for the smallest and biggest bears.

Older kids can also get involved in one of the summer’s big participatory sports events this weekend, the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series — Capital Classic. In the Splash and Dash, swimmers aged 8-11 will swim a 200m race close to shore. The winning boy and girl will be invited to join Olympic swimmers Helen Norfolk and Dean Kent in an ocean swimming coaching clinic. Up to 800 adult participants are expected to take the plunge in the 750 metre and 2.8km races.

Also on this weekend is the finale of the ASB Gardens Magic series at the Sound Shell at the Botanic Garden at 8pm on Sunday. OdESSA have been described as “the band that can make all of New Zealand stand up and dance” and are renowned for their energy across a huge range of genres. Sheba provides Saturday night’s soulful entertainment, and Adrian Win and the Special Guests play on Friday night.

* Enchanted Tales runs from 10­–11am and noon–1pm daily until Friday, in the Dell at the Botanic Garden.
* The Grand Fairy Ball is on Saturday from 10–11.30am, also in the Dell.
* The Teddy Bears’ Picnic runs from 11am–5pm on Sunday at the Dell and Anderson Park.

ENDS

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