A range of Hamilton community organisations have joined forces to bring Hamilton one of the biggest free family events of the year, the Children’s Day Carnival.
Part of the Summer In Garden Place programme of events, the Children’s Day Carnival on 23 February will promote the important National Children’s Day theme of treasuring our children.
It will be held across four central Hamilton locations – Waikato Museum, Garden Place, Civic Square and Garden Place Library. Organisations involved in the Children’s Day Carnival are Hamilton Children and Families Trust, Glenview Community Centre, K’aute Pasifika, Te Whare Kokonga, YMCA, Street Works, Waikato Queer Youth, Sport Waikato, Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, ZEAL, Art With Aroha, Boardriders and Te Ahurei a Rangatahi.
In Garden Place, a range of children’s rides, an under-5s area including a merry-go-round and inflatable play area, face painting, spray-on body art, mini-golf and small-scale sports and craft activities will take place, plus cultural and local entertainment on the stage over the lunch period.
Civic Square will host a skateboarding competition, with installation of temporary ramps. Nearby will be a live mural art display and an art competition as part of the Adopt a Box programme.
Hamilton City Libraries and Waikato Museum have teamed up to create the Honu and Dennis The Dinosaur’s Discovery Trail – named after two colourful characters connected to the two facilities. When children register, they will get a special card with a map of the route between the two sites.
Once the children have visited the locations and completed the activities – and had their card clipped by Discovery Trail volunteers – they will get to enjoy more free rides in Garden Place.
Inside the Garden Place Library, children will be able to perfect their creation of paper planes, and Waikato Regional Council staff will also be on hand to help with the making of eco-themed fridge magnets.
Waikato Museum’s Exscite and the Mighty River Waikato exhibitions will be free for the day, plus other activities include a “make a wish” coin-toss in our fountain with all proceeds going to a children’s charity, a chance for kids to tune in to listen to Lynley Dodd’s Hairy McLary stories in our Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective exhibition. There is also a chance to learn more about Hamilton’s bat population.
Councillor Angela O’Leary says the Children’s Day Carnival represents a great chance for families and children to enjoy time together in some of Hamilton City Council’s best facilities. “This will be a colourful, busy and fun day for children. Garden Place and Civic Square will be busy with activity, and Waikato Museum and the Garden Place Library have some excellent family-focussed ideas,” she says.
Children’s Day Activities start at 10am and finish at 3pm, and are sponsored by Summer in Garden Place, Hamilton Central Business Association, Hamilton City Council, Waikato Museum, Garden Place Library, Free FM, WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato, Creative Communities New Zealand, Waikato Regional Council, Te Rapakau Pacific Trust, SKYCITY Hamilton Community Trust and The Lion Foundation.
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
NAME: Angela O’Leary
DESIGNATION: Hamilton City Councillor
MOBILE: 021 343 774
EMAIL: angela.oleary@hcc.govt.nz
NAME: Jeff Neems
DESIGNATION: Communication Advisor
TEL (DIRECT): 07 838 6509
MOBILE: 021 818 564
EMAIL: jeff.neems@hcc.govt.nz