It's picnic time for teddy bears in the Queenstown Lakes District this weekend, with a special challenge having been issued.

The annual Summerdaze Skyline Teddy Bear's Picnic will take place on Saturday at the Queenstown Gardens and Sunday at Wanaka's Dinosaur Park.

"Each year the picnic has been growing in popularity and this year I am expecting to see hundreds of teddies, so we have decided to throw in a challenge," Summerdaze coordinator Alastair McIlwrick said.

This year the pressure was on to see which town could produce the most teddies, with an official teddy count to be held on both days.

"It's a big moment for the littlies in our community, they get to take part in face painting, lolly scrambles, story-telling and there will be some very special guests," Mr McIlwrick said.

Even the teddies were catered for with prizes for the biggest, the smallest, the fattest the best dancer and the one that could be thrown the highest.

"It's a lot of fun and a real highlight for the children in our community," he said.

Both Wanaka and Queenstown teddy bears' picnics would take place from 12 noon until 2pm.

ENDS

For further information contact Alastair McIlwrick 03 441 4412

By: Sarah