Celebrating the South Waikato’s kids
Often we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop and treasure our tamariki.
On Sunday, March 5 the South Waikato Community Collective, made up of various social services, council, and community groups and organisations, is offering locals the chance to celebrate the gift of children during its annual Children’s Day festival.
This year the festival, which is being held at the Tokoroa Cricket Club in Mossop Rd from 10am until 2pm, has a Disney theme and children are being encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters.
There will be free fun activities such as a slippery slide, bouncy castle, face painting, photo booth, biking, orienteering, colouring, bead making, tattoos, crazy hair and prises up for grabs.
Child Youth and Family Services’ Lia Daniels said the festival has been running since 2005 and has grown in popularity each year.
‘‘It started from Child Youth and Family but a lot of other services and groups were running their own Children’s Day celebrations so we thought why not bring them all together,’’ she said.
‘‘When we started there were only three or four of us and we struggled but now we have more than 20 of us so it is much easier and allows us to keep the costing very small for each service.’’
‘‘It’s getting bigger and better each year and is all about treasuring our children,’’ she said.
South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services’ Sulita Povaru-bourne said all children and their families were welcome.
‘‘One of the best things about it is there has never been a charge for any of the activities and food,’’ she said.
Officials will be wearing bright pink vests and will be able to offer information about what they do if people want it.
Daniels said those who want to offer support and donations can also approach them.
The Urban Connector will be picking up people from the Tirau at 9am at the I-SITE, in Putaruru outside Countdown at 9.10am, and from the Tokoroa I-SITE at 9am and drop offs will start from 2pm.
Families are encouraged to bring picnics, bikes, helmets, water, umbrellas, and chairs.
If it rains the event will be moved to the YMCA Stadium in Princess Beatrix Av.