Teddy Bears’ Picnic makes a big splash
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2010 (5825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Grey skies and soggy fields didn’t deter hardy Winnipeggers from braving the wet weather to ensure their furry stuffed friends received proper medical attention.
In fact, some attendees of the 24th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Assiniboine Park considered the knee-high mud puddles an added bonus.
"I think that was the big attraction, being able to walk in puddles," said Lena Laluk, as her three sons waded through a massive swath of water with their rubber boots.
"I tried to stop them, but it’s useless."
All three of Laluk’s boys — Andrew, 10, Matthew, 8, and Nathan, 6 — agreed splashing around was just as much fun as taking their stuffed animals over to the Bears’ Ambulatory Surgical Hospital (B*A*S*H).
"It’s just fun," Andrew said, trudging through the puddle. "We got our stuffed animals fixed. Mine hit his head."
Event organizers estimated between 6,000 and 10,000 people attended the Sunday-afternoon event, even after it was delayed by Saturday’s severe thunderstorm. Organizers met at 6 a.m. Sunday morning to determine whether the annual event that raises awareness and funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation was a go.
While the turnout was much lower than normal — about 40,000 people turned out for last year’s event — staff called the picnic a success, given the day’s weather woes.
"I can’t believe it, considering the weather," said picnic marketing coordinator Maria Lee. "I would say it’s a success."
Close to 2,000 bears received medical treatment at the B*A*S*H tent, which educates children about hospital care so they aren’t afraid of doctor visits or needles. Volunteers reported that bear illness ranged in severity from headaches and broken bones to undetermined stomach ailments.
"I had one that was sick because he was spun (around) in a backpack," said volunteer Liz Bannister. "He also had a headache because of it."
jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca